My Precious! The Location and Diffusion of Scientific Research: Evidence from the Synchrotron Diamond Light Source

Christian Helmers () and Henry Overman

SERC Discussion Papers from Centre for Economic Performance, LSE

Abstract: We analyze the impact of the establishment of a GBP 380 million basic scientific research facility in the UK on the geographical distribution of related research. We investigate whether the siting of the Diamond Light Source, a 3rd generation synchrotron light source, in Oxfordshire induced a clustering of related research in its geographic proximity. To account for the potentially endogenous location choice of the synchrotron, we exploit the availability of a `runner-up' site near Manchester. We use both academic publications and patent data to trace the geographical distribution of related knowledge and innovation. Our results suggest that the siting of the synchrotron in Oxfordshire created a highly localized cluster of related scientific research.

Keywords: Synchrotron; location; innovation; patents (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O31 O38 R12 R58 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2013-03
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-geo, nep-ino, nep-ipr, nep-pr~ and nep-ure
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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Related works:
Journal Article: My Precious! The Location and Diffusion of Scientific Research: Evidence from the Synchrotron Diamond Light Source (2017)
Working Paper: My Precious! the location and diffusion of scientific research: evidence from the synchrotron diamond light source (2013)
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:cep:sercdp:0131

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