Projects / Programmes
Mitigating the consequences of brain drain and strengthening the mechanism of brain circulation
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 5.11.02 |
Social sciences |
Ethnic studies |
Ethnic studies - humanistic aspect |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| S210 |
Social sciences |
Sociology |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| 5.04 |
Social Sciences |
Sociology |
brain circulation, brain drain, migration flows, labor market, scientific policy, internationalisation, repatriation, immigration of educated.
Researchers (8)
Organisations (2)
Abstract
The aim of the proposed research is:
(1) To analyze migration processes from and to the Republic of Slovenia in a comparative perspective. (regarding the share and structure of emigrants). Which countries face the same challenges as Slovenia.
(2) For qualitative and quantitative reasons, determine the reasons and motivations for emigration of young emigrants, thinking about it, a decision for a lasting life abroad or a return after a certain period (analysis of push and pull factors).
(3) An analysis of the policies of countries which Slovenia could be compared to for reducing emigration and its consequences, especially highly educated, promoting returnees and attracting a highly skilled workforce.
(4) Finding connecting factors for transition from brain drain to brain circulation and the internationalization of Slovenian science, focusing on the issues of updating and optimizing regulations regarding the employment of researchers from abroad (both Slovene and non-Slovenian) in Slovenia and their integration into the working and living environment.
(5) Prepare a set of proposals for measures to achieve the goal of reducing emigration, achieving brain circulation and promoting the internationalization of Slovenian science.
The migration balance in the Republic of Slovenia in recent years is about 0 (approximately the same number of people are emigrating as they come in). At the same time, the emigration balance is markedly negative given the level of education of migrants. Therefore, we can talk about the appearance of brain drain.
The research project Reduction of the consequences of brain drain and the strengthening of the brain circulation mechanism will analyze the migration flows in the Republic of Slovenia in the last decade and a half, from the time Slovenia joins the EU to the present day - this will mean a new legal framework for Slovenia, while at the same time, you will prosper before the global financial crisis, all the crisis years and re-prosperity. While in 2004, when Slovenia entered the EU 8,269 people emigrated, out of which 2,265 Slovenian citizens (the figure was similar to the previous years), 18,788 migrated from Slovenia to 200, of which 3,717 were citizens. The number ranges between 13,000 and 16,000 in the following years, among which the emigration of Slovene citizens has increased. In 2017, again, a large number of emigrants from Slovenia are again seen, with 17,555 people, of whom 9,871 are citizens. We do not yet have data for 2018. For all the last years, about half of the emigrants of the Republic of Slovenia have been found, and half of them have been employed in temporary work in Slovenia, but then they decided to move on or return to their original homeland. All those who emigrate can not be added to the brain drain, since most of them are emigrants with secondary education (more on later on the educational structure of the emigrants). However, the fact that more educated individuals emigrate than immigrants emits a clear framework for analyzing the migration of highly educated people to begin by analyzing the overall migration image of Slovenia.
The project will be divided into three parts. In the first part, we will analyze emigration from Slovenia and the return of Slovenes to Slovenia, immigration and emigration of the foreign population. The project will be based on the assumption that young educated Slovenians emigrate because of better working conditions they have abroad or worse opportunities in Slovenia. At the same time, in the first part of the project, we will analyze and analyze the situation and the situation in some other countries that are confronted with similar emigration as Slovenia, but have already set up systems to encourage the return of young educators back to their homeland. In particular, it is necessary to point out that the EU does not take any explicit measures in this area (the four freedoms represent the basis exactly the opposite), but all are in the domain o
Significance for science
The present project is a Targeted Research Nature and as such it is very focused on applicability and implementation goals in relation to political strategies, social mechanisms and economic challenges. Nevertheless, it will also be important for scientific reflection. The significance of science is linked to the use of the new concept of "circulation of the brain", which today is thought to be a redesigned concept of brain drain, and in theory it has not yet been fundamentally substantiated. Considering the circulation of the brain, in conjunction with the pull-push model, in the conditions of globalization and simultaneous localization (glocalization), which takes place today in the world, a critical reflection on the usability and acceptance of the new concept, its advantages and possible weaknesses. The latter is still an open area in both domestic and international social theory.
Significance for the country
Slovenia is confronted with a large outflow of skilled labor, which has a negative impact on the economy, since employers have pointed out from the end of the economic crisis that because of the emigration and the unattractiveness of Slovenia to qualified or not. highly educated immigrants do not find suitable workforce for vacancies. This reduces the production and volume of services that do not reach the maximum potential, which also reduces the state budget, and consequently the functions of the state.
To date, Slovenia has not yet been able to make use of its extensive traditional and its new diaspora (see Valentinčič 2013 and Valentinčič 2014, for example). Following the example of other countries (eg Ireland, Italy, Poland, Albania, Kosovo, Armenia, Turkey), Slovenia could use diasporas as the most natural and the best demographic resource, and the economic partner and knowledge partner.
This research will provide the basis for both the necessary national policies and offer a corpus of scientifically based knowledge for higher education / scientific institutions, the economy and interest groups for appropriate measures and conditions for encouraging the arrival of highly qualified personnel in Slovenia, and in particular reducing emigration and its consequences.
Most important scientific results
Annual report
2019,
2020
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Annual report
2020
