Guatemala scientific and professional diaspora in Spain: an initial characterization

Scientific and professional diasporas can strengthen science, technology, and innovation systems in their home countries, especially in emerging economies with limited infrastructure. These diasporas facilitate knowledge circulation, transnational collaboration, and science diplomacy. In Guatemala, interest is growing in its highly qualified diaspora, especially when host countries like Spain share historical and linguistic ties. This study offers an initial profile of the Guatemalan scientific and professional diaspora (GSPD) in Spain, using a mixed-methods approach: database creation, an online questionnaire, and a focus group. The sample consists mostly of Guatemalan professionals with postgraduate degrees, in early or mid-career, concentrated in major cities such as Barcelona, Madrid, and Valencia. Student mobility-driven by scholarships and aid, funded by both Spanish and local, and international sources-emerges as a key migration factor. Participants report a strong commitment to maintaining ties with Guatemala, collaborating with peers, and sharing expertise through mentorship and institutional engagement. However, they face hurdles such as distrust, lack of recognition, and limited formal mechanisms for collaboration from Guatemalan institutions. These barriers stem from insufficient institutional mandates, poor coordination, and low visibility of the GSPD as a collective actor. The study also notes structural inequalities in international mobility, with mestizo/ladino participants overrepresented and Indigenous populations underrepresented among highly skilled migrants. Rather than viewing migration only as "brain drain," the findings emphasize brain linkages and diaspora knowledge networks. Strengthening institutional mechanisms-including science diplomacy and collaboration platforms-could foster more inclusive and sustainable scientific development in Guatemala. As an exploratory study with a non-probabilistic sample, these findings provide an initial analytical basis for future research.