As part of the Open Science Forum 2024, a panel discussion “Fostering Brain Circulation: The Impact of Research Diasporas in Advancing Scientific Excellence” took place.
Representatives of the Ukrainian Science Diaspora in Poland participated and discussed the following topics:
- “Brain drain,” as the emigration of highly qualified and educated individuals from one country to another. This phenomenon is inevitable during armed conflicts and today has significant consequences for Ukraine.
- What changes in a nation’s intellectual potential occur due to brain drain, and how should the national economy interpret this? As long as benefits and impact are directed to the host country of the intellectual capital, this is considered a negative trend. However, when the benefits and impact remain with the donor country of the intellectual capital, this process becomes “Brain circulation.”
- “Brain circulation” — the adaptation and transfer of experience and knowledge gained abroad, along with maintaining connections and collaboration with one’s home country while living overseas. In this case, the benefits and impact of activities are directed not only to the host country but also to the donor country of intellectual capital.
As part of the networking between the Ukrainian Science Diaspora in Poland and the Polish Science Diaspora worldwide at the Polonium Foundation, practices and lessons learned in mitigating the effects of brain drain, enhancing benefits and impact, and, of course, brain circulation were discussed. Developed countries have been reaping the benefits of intellectual talent migration for decades; moreover, it is one of the vectors in the strategy for the internationalization of education and science.
It was noted during the discussion that smart policy will ensure the benefits and impact of activities are directed not only to the host country but also to the donor country of intellectual capital.
🇪🇺🤝 Science unites people and opens up boundless opportunities for us!