Switching research fields? Beware the ‘pivot penalty’

Key Points

• Scientists who switch fields experience a drop in impact, highlighting the so-called pivot penalty that affects their work.
• This analysis evaluated numerous scientific papers and patents, showing that the pivot penalty significantly affects new changes in research focus.
• The findings suggest that transitioning among research fields introduces challenges that can reduce achievement in peers' perception and citations.
• Understanding the pivot penalty may inform future strategies for researchers considering interdisciplinary work and its long-term impact.