The interdisciplinarity of prize winners: An analysis of research portfolio evolution of prize-winning scientists (1995-2019)

Abstract

This research studies the research trajectory of scientists who have won prominent prizes in science. Using the status theory Middle-Status Conformity, this research tries to explain that researchers become more interdisciplinary in their publishing practices due to their acquired status after winning a prominent scientific prize. The research trajectory of these prize-winning scientists is compared to scientists from a similar background who have not won these scientific prizes. The status theory Middle-Status Conformity explains that people with a higher acquired status are willing to take more risks compared to people with an average acquired status. This research tries to conclude if that is also the case among scientists publishing in various disciplines and thus become more interdisciplinary.