The manifold costs of being a non-native English speaker in science

The use of English as the common language of science represents a major impediment to maximising the contribution of non-native English speakers to science. Yet few studies have quantified the consequences of language barriers on the career development of researchers who are non-native English speakers. By surveying 908 researchers in environmental sciences, this study estimates and compares the amount of effort required to conduct scientific activities in English between researchers from different countries and, thus, different linguistic and economic backgrounds. Our survey demonstrates that non-native English speakers, especially early in their careers, spend more effort than native English speakers in…

• DF
  Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft

  Awards: FZT 118, DFG-FZT 118, 202548816, FZT 118, 202548816, DFG-FZT 118, 202548816
• UO
  University of Queensland
• AR
  Australian Research Council

  Awards: Future Fellowship FT180100354, FT180100354