Turning brain drain into brain networking

Abstract

This article argues that, given the difficulties of reversing brain drain and of creating brain circulation, small developing countries should instead put efforts into brain networking, which is the systematic development of an ICT-based form of links between scientific diasporas and resident scientists. The study suggests that brain networking is the most realistic institutional platform for tackling developing countries' problems related to the loss of talent. Reviewing the strengths and weaknesses of existing diaspora initiatives in different countries, and based on an original survey of 133 Romanian scientific diaspora members, this article identifies a series of policy preferences and implications.