Since the late 20th century, information technology, neoliberal trade policies, and immigration policies have facilitated university recruitment of globally mobile, highly skilled, and elite academics. The university’s role in knowledge production and the emphasis on global university rankings have also expanded competitive labor markets to international faculty. Broadly understood, international faculty are those employed by universities in teaching and/or research roles, whose country of employment is different from their country of origin and whose mobility is long term.

International faculty are a growing and increasingly important part of the global academic labor force, adding intellectual as well as cultural diversity to their institutions and disciplines. The recruitment and retention of international faculty is resource-intensive, yet research on the mobility and career experiences of these highly skilled ...