The Hellenic Foundation for Research and Innovation (H.F.R.I.) will be organizing the Event entitled “Brain Gain – Brain Drain: Research Data, Experiences, Strategies”, which will take place on Thursday, November 7, 2024, at 10:00 am, at ESTIA Nea Smyrni (1 Konstantinou Palaeologou Street). The Minister of Development, Mr. Takis Theodorikakos, will address the workshop.

The event aims to discuss the mobility of the country’s skilled scientific potential and highlight the key importance of stable funding for enhancing Research and Innovation. In the context of the conference, results from funded research projects of the Foundation will be presented, focusing their study on this phenomenon. Furthermore, researchers will recount their personal experiences, highlighting the importance of H.F.R.I. funding for their professional development and discussing strategies and policies related to this issue.

The workshop will be broadcast live via the DIAVLOS platform through the following link: https://webcast.grnet.gr/room/16183?eventid=17204

For more information, visit the H.F.R.I. website (www.elidek.gr) and the Foundation’s Facebook, X and LinkedIn pages.

Below is a summary of the event modules with the discussion topics and the projects that will be presented:

The keynote speaker of the workshop will be Mr Lois Labrianidis, Economic Geographer, Professor at the UoM, and former Secretary General for Private Investment at the Ministry of Economy & Development. In his presentation entitled: “International geographic mobility of skilled human resources: recent data for Greece”, which is based on two empirical studies with large samples conducted in 2021 and 2024, he will analyse the current forms of geographic mobility and shed light on the causes and impacts of highly skilled emigration in modern Greece.

Module 1: Studying mobility: Data and statistics from H.F.R.I. funded projects.

“On the Great Greek Brain Drain: A Macroeconomic Approach”: This research project, with Eugenia Vella, Assistant Professor at the Athens University of Economics and Business, as Principal Investigator, examines the phenomenon of “brain drain” from a macroeconomic perspective, focusing on the characteristics of the labour market. The Project was supported under the 2nd H.F.R.I. Call for Research Projects to support Postdoctoral Researchers with the Athens University of Economics and Business as the Host Institution.

“Transitions, Emigration and Politics: Understanding Youth in Crisis”: The research project, with Alexandra Koronaiou, Professor at Panteion University of Political and Social Sciences, as Principal Investigator, focuses on the age group 15-34 years old during the crisis period, investigating the impact of the economic crisis, the background of young people’s emigration abroad and their attitude towards the political system of that period. The Project was supported under the 1st H.F.R.I. Call for Research Projects to support faculty members and researchers and procure high-value research equipment with the Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences as the Host Institution.

“Life Stories of Mobility: Greek professional migrants and well – educated young adults pondering migration”: The research Project, with Filia Isari, Professor at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, as Principal Investigator, adopts a psycho-social and cultural perspective to investigate the phenomenon of “brain drain” or “brain gain”. The Project was supported under the 1st H.F.R.I. Call for Research Projects to support faculty members and researchers and procure high-value research equipment with the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens as the Host Institution.

“Crisis’ Emerging Diaspora’s Tendencies Towards Greece”: The research Project, with Revecca Pedi, Associate Professor of the University of Macedonia, as Principal Investigator, examines whether the emerging crisis-induced diaspora can be a factor of power for Greece. The Project was supported under the 1st H.F.R.I. Call for Research Projects to support faculty members and researchers and procure high-value research equipment with the University of Macedonia as the Host Institution.

Module 2: Brain GAIN & RETAIN: Researchers’ mobility stories

Researchers supported under the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Call for H.F.R.I. Research Projects to support Post-Doctoral Researchers will give a brief, 5-minute talk highlighting the importance of funding for generating new knowledge and their personal development.

Discussion: Encouragement strategies and policies to attract researchers

The President of the H.F.R.I. Scientific Council, Professor Xeni Chryssochoou, will moderate the discussion “Encouragement strategies and policies to attract researchers” to discuss strategies for the repatriation or retention of researchers in Greece.

Participating in the discussion will be the Deputy Minister of Development, Zoe Rapti, the Secretary General for Research and Innovation, Dr. Anastasios Gaitanis, the Secretary General for Coordination of the Presidency of the Government, Paraskevi Dramalioti, the Emeritus Professor of the University of Crete and former Deputy Minister of Research and Innovation, Kostas Fotakis, the President of the National Authority for Higher Education, Pericles Mitkas, the Honorary Professor of Medicine, former Rector of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, former Minister of Health and Social Solidarity, former Minister of Education and Religious Affairs and Member of the Scientific Council of the H.F.R.I., Christos Kittas, the Senior Advisor for Industry, Development, Technology and Innovation of the Association of Businesses and Industries, Kostas Troulos, the Member of the Board of Directors of the Association of Information Technology Enterprises of Greece, Nikos Rodopoulos and the Chairman of the Special Standing Committee of the Hellenic Parliament for Research and Technology, Stratos Simopoulos.

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