Brain Gain and Early Career Researchers in Panama
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.37387/ipc.v14i1.437Keywords:
scientists, scientific researchers, science and development, career development, brain drainAbstract
Early-career researchers (ECRs) are crucial players in the development of Latin American science, contributing innovation and new paradigms. Recent scientific literature on "brain drain" and "brain gain" indicates that Latin America continues to experience significant losses of scientific talent, with implications that depend on implemented public policies and mobility dynamics. This article describes the situation of Panamanian ECRs trained abroad and compares it with that of other researchers in the region, based on a review of regional literature and the results of a survey conducted in 2018. The literature review identified scientific articles, opinion pieces, and an interview (all published in scientific journals) that highlight six main barriers faced by ECRs in the region: economic, bureaucratic, lack of scientific collaboration, gender, language, and the crisis caused by COVID-19. In Panama, the difficulties mentioned in the ECR survey reveal similarities with the region, particularly in terms of difficulties accessing research funding and good working conditions, bureaucratic obstacles to career advancement, and difficulties in scientific collaboration within the country. The findings underscore the need to update policies on repatriation, mobility, and engagement with the scientific diaspora. The importance of evaluating regional experiences and promoting large-scale studies to support science policy decisions is also emphasized.
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