Linking Knowledge Across Borders: Science Diasporas and Global South Development

Migration of scientists from the Global South to the North has historically been perceived as a loss of national talent. However, a growing body of research demonstrates that with effective engagement strategies, diasporas can play a pivotal role in development. Scientific diasporas not only provide access to international networks but also support the visibility, quality, and impact of local science. Their engagement contributes to both the internationalization of research and the training of new generations in STI. This Topic offers an opportunity to explore such dynamics from policy, institutional, and community-based perspectives.

The aim of this Research Topic is to explore the mechanisms, conditions, and impacts of engaging scientific diasporas in the Global South. By analyzing experiences of collaboration, knowledge circulation, and science diplomacy, this Topic will provide a platform to examine how diaspora scientists contribute to the strengthening of STI ecosystems in their countries of origin. It also seeks to foster evidence-based discussion on how to transform traditional "brain drain" narratives into models of "brain gain" and "brain circulation" through inclusive engagement strategies.

We invite original research, reviews, perspectives, and other article types that explore a wide range of topics, including scientific diasporas and knowledge circulation; brain drain, brain gain, and brain circulation; national policies for diaspora engagement; innovation, entrepreneurship, and technology transfer; diasporas in critical and emerging scientific areas; advocacy, representation, and soft power; science diplomacy and co-publication mechanisms; the role of science attachés and embassies in mobilizing diasporas; South–South scientific diaspora networks and collaboration models; the geopolitics of knowledge circulation; equity, inclusion, and power dynamics in diaspora engagement; knowledge, justice, and power asymmetries in Global North–South collaborations; and the internationalization and visibility of science from the Global South. We particularly welcome contributions that offer national case studies, comparative analyses, conceptual frameworks, or methodological innovations, and encourage submissions from scholars based in or working with underrepresented regions and communities.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Community Case Study
• Conceptual Analysis
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Community Case Study
• Conceptual Analysis
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Policy and Practice Reviews
• Review
• Study Protocol
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Scientific diaspora, Brain circulation, International collaboration, Global South, Science diplomacy, Equity in science

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.