Patterns of Communication Among Theoretical High Energy Physicists

Using data from an international sample of theoretical high energy physicists, this study analyzes the similarities and differences in individual and contextual characteristics of pairs of consultants. Except for country, the attribute. most likely to be shared by a consulting dyad is their specialty-their particular field within the already highly specialized subdiscipline of theoretical high energy physics. Having the same specialized interests is even more important for cosmopolitan dyads from different countries than for local ones; for the latter, having the same institutional role, such as teaching, is relatively more important. The establishment of regular communication links between physicists in different specialties appears to be influenced by homogeneity in various personal characteristics, whereas dyads homogeneous with respect to specialty are more heterogeneous with regard to personal characteristics, except that they tend to be similar in research accomplishments. Communication within narrow specialties is most universalistic in disregard of personal considerations, which suggests that the minute division of labor is the source of universalism in science. Communication links across specialties and across status differences within specialties are largely provided, not by the most eminent research leaders, but by informal leaders, whose role appears to be analogous to that of department heads in formal organizations.