The Need for American Scientific Diaspora Networks

The global nature of science and technology enables professionals in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) to emigrate in pursuit of educational and professional opportunities abroad. To support and access these highly skilled expatriates, many countries develop scientific diaspora networks. These networks act as hubs to connect diaspora scientists to each other and to their country of origin, strengthening research collaborations and scientific diplomacy between nations. The U.S. does not have any formal networks for its scientists working abroad. These émigré researchers therefore represent an untapped resource of soft power and diplomacy. U.S. networks would help provide information on current innovation strategies worldwide, promote positive and peaceful relations between the U.S. and the host country, and foster cross-country research collaborations. We recommend the development of scientific diaspora networks for U.S. researchers abroad. We review three organizational and funding structures that the U.S. can use as models to develop its own science diaspora networks: government affiliated, NGO-managed, and grassroots-initiated. Given these, we make the following policy recommendations: 1) The Department of State and other federal agencies should help develop and support U.S. diaspora networks, 2) The U.S. government should create a ‘network of networks’ to scale support and resources for U.S. diaspora networks, and 3) The U.S. government and philanthropic groups should fund programs to establish professional organizations for U.S. scientists abroad.