The Science of Science and Innovation
The Kellogg Center for Science of Science & Innovation is the first academic hub of its kind to bring together the world’s foremost experts in complex systems and network science to uncover fundamental patterns in careers, collaboration, the progress of knowledge, and more.
Here is a collection of faculty research and insights related to the science of science. For more information about the Kellogg Center for Science of Science & Innovation, visit kell.gg/cssi.

Innovation
Does the Public Benefit from the Scientific Research It Funds?
A new study quantifies how U.S. taxpayer-funded research is used in patents, media, and policy decisions.
Yin Yin, Yuxiao Dong, Kuansan Wang, Dashun Wang and Benjamin F. Jones
July 7, 2022

Careers
What Triggers a Career Hot Streak?
New research reveals a recipe for success.
Lu Liu, Nima Dehmamy, Jillian Chown, C. Lee Giles and Dashun Wang
October 4, 2021

Careers
Take 5: How to Become an Expert in Something New
Turns out, there’s a “special sauce” that can help you get there. But expertise can also come with a curse.
Jan A. Van Mieghem, Brian Uzzi, Luis Rayo, Lu Liu, Jillian Chown, Dashun Wang, Matthew D. Rocklage, Derek D. Rucker, Loran Nordgren and Steven Franconeri
October 25, 2021

Innovation
How Has Covid-19 Shaped Scientists—and the Future of Science?
The global pandemic has changed how researchers work. The impacts will be felt for years.
July 6, 2021

Policy
How Well Does COVID Public Policy Align with Science?
In an era of misinformation, policy based on “dubious science” could mean a greater loss of life and economic hardship.
Yian Yin, Jian Gao, Benjamin F. Jones and Dashun Wang
January 7, 2021

Innovation
Why Do Some People Succeed after Failing, While Others Continue to Flounder?
A new study dispels some of the mystery behind success after failure.
Yian Yin, Yang Wang, James Evans and Dashun Wang
December 2, 2020

Innovation
Meet Adam, the “Scientist” Who Never Sleeps
An excerpt from the book The Science of Science shows how robots may soon be able to run their own experiments—from start to finish.
Dashun Wang and Albert-László Barabási
November 17, 2020

Innovation
The Pandemic Has Slashed Scientists’ Productivity
The extent varies a good deal by field, but the single biggest factor is whether a scientist is caring for young children.
Kyle R. Myers, Wei Yang Tham, Yian Yin, Nina Cohodes, Jerry G. Thursby, Marie C. Thursby, Peter Schiffer, Joseph T. Walsh, Karim R. Lakhani and Dashun Wang
July 15, 2020

Innovation
A New Product Release Often Sets Off a Customer Frenzy. But How Long Does It Last?
When consumers replace the old with the new, surprising trends emerge. A new mathematical model can better predict long-term sales.
Ching Jin, Chaoming Song, Johannes Bjelland, Geoffrey Canright and Dashun Wang
April 1, 2020

Careers
Take 5: The Upside of Failure
A look at the surprising benefits of striking out, and how to make the most of your mistakes.
Dashun Wang, Benjamin F. Jones, Yang Wang, Craig Wortmann, Edward (Ned) Smith, Col. Brian Halloran and Eric T. Anderson
February 10, 2020

Leadership
What science can tell us about Building Great Teams
Assembling and managing successful teams is a core leadership skill, whether you are convening a temporary task force, managing a full department, or running a school fundraiser.
November 18, 2019

Careers
Early Career Failures Can Make You Stronger in the Long Run
A study of young scientists who were denied grants provides a striking example of why you should never give up.
Yang Wang, Benjamin F. Jones and Dashun Wang
October 1, 2019

Leadership
For Teams, What Matters More: Raw Talent or a History of Success Together?
A study of professional sports teams suggests that one factor is clearly more important, but the best teams combine them both.
Satyam Mukherjee, Yun Huang, Julia Neidhardt, Brian Uzzi and Noshir Contractor
June 3, 2019

Organizations
Want to Revolutionize Your Field? You May Need to Rethink the Size of Your Research Team.
Large and small teams produce different types of breakthroughs, according to an analysis of 50 million patents, software products, and academic papers.
Lingfei Wu, Dashun Wang and James Evans
February 13, 2019

The Science Behind the Growing Importance of Collaboration
Plus, ideas for designing spaces that encourage employees to team up in unique ways.
Benjamin F. Jones
September 6, 2017

Strategy
Who Gets Blamed When a Group Project Goes Wrong?
Here’s why consequences stick to some team members more than others, according to a new study of retracted academic papers.
Ginger Zhe Jin, Benjamin F. Jones, Susan Feng Lu and Brian Uzzi
February 1, 2019

Innovation
How Can Social Science Become More Solutions-Oriented?
A conversation between researchers at Kellogg and Microsoft explores how behavioral science can best be applied.
Noshir Contractor and Duncan Watts
September 10, 2018

Innovation
When You’re Hot, You’re Hot: Career Successes Come in Clusters
Bursts of brilliance happen for almost everyone. Explore the “hot streaks” of thousands of directors, artists and scientists in our graphic.
Lu Liu, Yang Wang, C. Lee Giles, Chaoming Song, Roberta Sinatra and Dashun Wang
July 11, 2018

Entrepreneurship
How Old Are Successful Tech Entrepreneurs?
A definitive new study dispels the myth of the Silicon Valley wunderkind.
Pierre Azoulay, Benjamin F. Jones, J. Daniel Kim and Javier Miranda
May 15, 2018

Innovation
The Surprisingly Short Journey from Ivory Tower to Patent Office
Scientific research leads to marketplace innovations more frequently and quickly than expected.
Mohammad Ahmadpoor and Benjamin F. Jones
November 2, 2017

Careers
How Innovators Choose Their Next Career Move
There is an overarching pattern in how innovators, like Elon Musk, shift their focus over time.
Tao Jia, Dashun Wang and Boleslaw K. Szymanski
August 2, 2017

Careers
Why a Scientist’s Big Break May Be Just Around the Corner
Researchers, have hope: your most successful paper can occur at any point in your career.
Roberta Sinatra, Dashun Wang, Pierre Deville, Chaoming Song and Albert-László Barabási
November 2, 2016

Innovation
What Happens to Innovation When the Financial Incentives Change?
There are ways to split the pie that encourage innovation.
Hans K. Hvide and Benjamin F. Jones
June 6, 2016

Careers
Want to Work in Science? Men Have the Advantage
How gender discrimination affects hiring
Ernesto Reuben, Paola Sapienza and Luigi Zingales
March 10, 2014
A Virtuous Mix Allows Innovation to Thrive
The right mixture balances conventionality, novelty, and collaboration
Brian Uzzi, Satyam Mukherjee, Michael Stringer and Benjamin F. Jones
November 4, 2013
Innovation
Age and Great Invention
Scientists who make breakthroughs are older than ever
Benjamin F. Jones
May 19, 2011
Science as Team Sport
Collaborating at a distance pays off
Benjamin F. Jones, Stefan Wuchty and Brian Uzzi
October 10, 2008