Should researchers go where progress is easier, or stay where impact is greatest?

By emmannaemeka @ 2025-08-19T02:24 (+14)

Someone recently asked me:

“Given your work, have you considered emigrating? Nigeria seems like a difficult place to do impactful research.”

It’s a hard question. Progress here is slow—funding gaps, weak infrastructure, and policy hurdles are real. But the problems are urgent, and the potential for transformative impact is immense.

So I wonder: should researchers move to places where work advances faster, or stay where the need is greatest?

I’d be glad to hear your opinions. And if you know anyone interested in supporting high-impact science in Africa, I’d love to connect.

Henry Howard🔸 @ 2025-08-19T06:44 (+6)

impact = rate of progress * value of progress

Is it better to work where progress is slower but potentially more valuable, or where progress is faster but not as valuable?
Very hard question and the answer will be very context-dependant and probably unknowable in advance.

The world needs people doing both of these sorts of work.