グローバル化と研究者

41 Comments

以下，日本生体医工学会誌 「生体医工学（50巻6号）」に寄稿した文章を，出版元の許可を頂いて掲載いたします．編集部の皆さま，どうもありがとうございます．

—————————————————————–

日本メディアで「内向き化」「グローバル人材」などの言葉が頻繁に使われるようになって久しい．それらの言葉の意味はさておき，グローバルに垣根の低くなった世界で，今後の日本の立ち位置を考えることは，研究者として身を立てる上でも，一社会人としても重要なことだろう．私は高校卒業後に日本を離れ， 米国で学位取得し，就職して合計13年になる．今回は自国を離れて キャリアを重ねるに従って感じたことを記したい．

１．日本人の海外進出の足場になり得る海外研究者

日本には「海外在住の日本人」という人的資本に目を向けて欲しい，と思う．私は米国生活が長くなっているが，今後も日本人のアイデンティティを失うことはないだろう．日本からの短期訪問者には「それだけ長くアメリカに住めば，もう日本のことは忘れているでしょう」と言われるのだが，それほど単純なものでもなく，日本に対する愛着もある．「キャリアと私生活と自分の好奇心を総合的に考慮して，現在の状況を選んだ」というのが妥当な説明である．

実際，中国や韓国出身の同僚を見ると， 米国の大学でPIとして活躍する 研究者であっても，本国との繋がりは依然強いように見える． 彼らの研究室では，自国出身の学生やポスドクの割合が相対的に高い．米国では採用側が人種，国籍，性別などで雇用の合否の判断をすることは禁じられている．そのため，親近感，自国での知名度などから応募者側の割合にバイアスがかかるのだろうと推測するが，いずれにせよ結果として，自国の学生が米国で研究をするための機会を提供しているのは間違いない．

海外でも，PIになったり，起業する日本人は少なからずいる．彼ら，彼女らに「日本を捨てた」というラベルを貼ってしまうのは簡単である．しかし，もっとしたたかに，海外にいる日本人を上手く利用しながら，日本人の海外進出を進める戦略を考えても良いのではないだろうか．自分自身も，今後更なるキャリアを海外で積むことになれば，その協力は惜しまないつもりである．

宣伝となってしまうが，海外在住の日本人からの働きかけとして，筆者が運営に携わった２つの活動を紹介したい．世界の理工系の学生が国際的なチームでリーダーシップ経験を育む「STeLA」 (www.stelaforum.org/jp/) と，海外大学院で学位取得を目指す国内学生に情報提供を行う「米国大学院学生会」 (www.gakuiryugaku.net/) である．いずれの活動も，日本人留学生のイニシアチブに端を発し，日本国内からの多大な協力を得て，後輩に引き継がれている．このように，居住国や立場に拘らず，日本を盛り上げていければ素晴らしいことだと考えている．

２．研究分野によって住む場所が決まる時代

研究を開始して間もない頃は意識しなかったが，理工系の研究を進めるのには，とにかく資金と設備が必要になる．宇宙工学であれば，第一線の研究ができるのは，NASA，JAXA や ESA などの少数の拠点に限られるのだろうし，素粒子物理であれば，実験を行うために世界に数個しかない数千億円の加速器が必要だと聞いている．医師や病院との積極的なコラボレーションが必要である医療工学も例外ではなく，実験を進められる場所が限られる．筆者が住んでいるボストンは，大学，研究所，企業，病院が集まっており大変恵まれている．しかし，これはどこにでもある 環境ではないことも理解している．

例えば，TPP が実施されればコストに優位性のない日本の農業が淘汰されるという懸念と同じだろう． グローバル化により人的資本が動きやすくなれば，人的，金銭的な研究資本の投入も少数のエリアに集中され，グローバルな規模での分業化が進んでいくのではないか．将来「この研究を行いたければ，世界でこの研究所に行くしかない．」という時代が来ることは避けられないし， もう到達しかけていると言ってもいい．

その時代にできるだけ自分が満足できる選択肢があるよう，世界のどこに行っても楽しく暮らせる適応力や，研究テーマの幅の広さを身につけたいと考えている．また，若いうちは様々な国や 組織で経験を積むことの価値の一端は，そういうところにあるのだろう．

以上，２点となったが，「グローバル化」に伴う雑感を記した．将来の不安は尽きないが，どんな時代が来ても，どこで働くことになっても，楽しく前向きに生きられればと思う次第である．

—————————————————————–

以上，本文でした．長さ制限ありのエッセーでしたので，様々な論点が多角的に網羅されてる分けではありません．他にもいろいろな変化は起こっているのでしょう．例えば，お金が付きやすい（あるいはお金を付けることを正当化しやすい）分野の変化，それに伴う分野の隆盛といったなどと言った論点もあれば，法規制のレベルによって，研究する場所を研究者が選んでも良いのか，そしてそれは倫理的にどうなのか，というような論点もあるでしょう．グローバル化に伴って，今後の研究者の処遇，立場，役割などがどのように変わって行くかについて考えをお持ちの方は，何かの機会に聞かせて下さい．

41 thoughts on “グローバル化と研究者”

  4. There are some fascinating closing dates in this article but I don抰 know if I see all of them heart to heart. There is some validity but I will take maintain opinion till I look into it further. Good article , thanks and we want more! Added to FeedBurner as properly

  6. I happen to be writing to make you be aware of of the cool experience my girl encountered going through your web site. She mastered lots of details, most notably how it is like to possess an awesome giving mood to let the others with no trouble comprehend chosen hard to do subject matter. You actually did more than visitors’ expectations. Thanks for presenting these helpful, trusted, edifying and as well as easy tips about this topic to Evelyn.

  10. There are certainly lots of particulars like that to take into consideration. That may be a nice point to bring up. I offer the ideas above as common inspiration however clearly there are questions like the one you convey up the place an important factor will be working in honest good faith. I don?t know if greatest practices have emerged round things like that, however I am sure that your job is clearly identified as a good game. Both girls and boys really feel the influence of just a moment抯 pleasure, for the remainder of their lives.

  13. I used to be very happy to search out this web-site.I wished to thanks for your time for this excellent read!! I positively having fun with every little little bit of it and I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff you weblog post.

  14. I used to be very pleased to seek out this internet-site.I needed to thanks in your time for this wonderful learn!! I undoubtedly enjoying every little little bit of it and I’ve you bookmarked to check out new stuff you blog post.

  17. An fascinating discussion is price comment. I believe that it is best to write more on this topic, it may not be a taboo subject but usually people are not enough to talk on such topics. To the next. Cheers

  18. There are some interesting cut-off dates in this article but I don抰 know if I see all of them middle to heart. There may be some validity but I will take maintain opinion until I look into it further. Good article , thanks and we wish extra! Added to FeedBurner as nicely

  20. I simply desired to thank you very much all over again. I’m not certain what I could possibly have used in the absence of those smart ideas documented by you over that area. It seemed to be a frustrating difficulty in my view, however , encountering this expert fashion you handled that took me to jump for fulfillment. Now i am happy for the assistance and then have high hopes you are aware of an amazing job your are undertaking instructing men and women via your web site. I know that you have never got to know all of us.

  21. An impressive share, I simply given this onto a colleague who was doing slightly evaluation on this. And he the truth is bought me breakfast as a result of I found it for him.. smile. So let me reword that: Thnx for the treat! But yeah Thnkx for spending the time to discuss this, I really feel strongly about it and love studying more on this topic. If possible, as you turn into experience, would you mind updating your blog with extra details? It’s extremely useful for me. Large thumb up for this weblog put up!

  22. That is the correct blog for anybody who desires to seek out out about this topic. You notice so much its nearly laborious to argue with you (not that I truly would want匟aHa). You positively put a new spin on a subject thats been written about for years. Great stuff, just great!

  24. Aw, this was a very nice post. In idea I wish to put in writing like this additionally ?taking time and actual effort to make a very good article?but what can I say?I procrastinate alot and certainly not seem to get something done.

  25. An fascinating discussion is worth comment. I believe that you need to write extra on this subject, it won’t be a taboo topic however usually people are not sufficient to talk on such topics. To the next. Cheers

  26. I needed to put you a bit of observation to thank you once again for those superb pointers you’ve discussed on this page. It has been certainly unbelievably open-handed with you in giving unreservedly all a few individuals might have sold as an e-book to help with making some dough for their own end, notably considering that you might well have tried it if you decided. These inspiring ideas additionally acted as a great way to fully grasp that other people online have similar keenness the same as my own to find out more when considering this matter. I’m sure there are a lot more enjoyable sessions up front for individuals that examine your blog post.

  28. An attention-grabbing dialogue is worth comment. I believe that you should write more on this matter, it won’t be a taboo topic however typically people are not enough to talk on such topics. To the next. Cheers

  29. After examine a number of of the blog posts on your website now, and I truly like your approach of blogging. I bookmarked it to my bookmark web site checklist and might be checking again soon. Pls check out my website as properly and let me know what you think.

  30. There are some interesting closing dates on this article however I don抰 know if I see all of them heart to heart. There’s some validity but I will take maintain opinion till I look into it further. Good article , thanks and we would like extra! Added to FeedBurner as properly

  31. Youre so cool! I dont suppose Ive learn something like this before. So good to seek out any individual with some unique thoughts on this subject. realy thanks for beginning this up. this web site is one thing that’s needed on the net, someone with just a little originality. useful job for bringing one thing new to the web!

  32. I抦 impressed, I need to say. Really hardly ever do I encounter a blog that抯 both educative and entertaining, and let me let you know, you have hit the nail on the head. Your thought is outstanding; the issue is one thing that not sufficient individuals are speaking intelligently about. I’m very happy that I stumbled across this in my search for one thing referring to this.

  34. I discovered your weblog website on google and examine a couple of of your early posts. Proceed to maintain up the very good operate. I just additional up your RSS feed to my MSN News Reader. Looking for forward to studying extra from you in a while!?

  35. Aw, this was a really nice post. In idea I want to put in writing like this additionally ?taking time and precise effort to make an excellent article?but what can I say?I procrastinate alot and not at all seem to get something done.

  36. Good post. I be taught something more difficult on different blogs everyday. It is going to always be stimulating to learn content material from other writers and practice a little bit something from their store. I抎 desire to use some with the content material on my blog whether or not you don抰 mind. Natually I抣l give you a hyperlink on your net blog. Thanks for sharing.

  37. After I originally commented I clicked the -Notify me when new feedback are added- checkbox and now every time a remark is added I get four emails with the same comment. Is there any means you possibly can take away me from that service? Thanks!

  39. I used to be very happy to search out this internet-site.I needed to thanks in your time for this wonderful read!! I undoubtedly enjoying every little bit of it and I have you bookmarked to take a look at new stuff you blog post.

  40. That is the fitting weblog for anybody who wants to find out about this topic. You realize a lot its almost arduous to argue with you (not that I really would want匟aHa). You positively put a brand new spin on a subject thats been written about for years. Nice stuff, just nice!

Leave a Reply