Abstract:
The importance of diaspora and transnational knowledge production,
innovation, and development is of growing interest, particularly in the developing
world. The phenomenal increase in high human capital migration from poor to rich
countries has historically led to what is commonly known as brain drain, which has
negatively impacted the capacity of such countries to innovate. Yet more recently the
emergence of the phenomenon of transnationalism has demonstrated the potential to
transform brain drain into brain circulation, for the mutual benefit of both sending
and receiving contexts. This article uses the case of Zimbabwe to explore the role of
diasporan professionals, scholars, and entrepreneurs in contributing to knowledge
production, innovation, and development initiatives in their countries of origin.
Zimbabwe is an example of many African countries that have experienced substantial
attrition of highly qualified knowledge workers for various reasons. A qualitative
approach, involving interviews and documentary evidence, enabled the researchers to
engage with the Zimbabwean diaspora to capture their narratives regarding the
challenges and opportunities, which were then used to develop successful transnational
knowledge production initiatives.
