Exploring the dynamics of collaborative research: Publication trends in the LUE IMPACT projects in France

What is new? This study takes an interest in the dynamics of collaborative research as they materialize through publications conducted within the LUE IMPACT initiative at Lorraine University of Excellence, France, over the period 2016-2024. What was the approach? Using bibliometric data from HAL and OpenAlex databases, it studies publications in terms of co-authorship and with regard to their underlying organizational (cross-laboratory) and cognitive (cross-discipline) proximity. What is the academic impact? The study underscores the increasing number of multi-authored and multi-laboratory publications in the seven projects of the LUE IMPACT framework, as well as the diversity of the disciplinary fields involved. It also shows, however, that disciplinary proximity was by far the catalyst that underpinned co-publications. Narrow interdisciplinarity appeared to be the “optimal level” of disciplinary collaboration; but this equilibrium turned out to cover an underlying disequilibrium among discipline domains. What is the wider impact? This study offers key benefits to research management and administration by providing a data-driven understanding of collaborative research dynamics within institutional initiatives. It equips research administrators with evidence-based guidance to refine collaboration strategies, and maximize the outcomes of funded projects.