A year-long study by the Deon Institute of Policy Studies reveals the growing interest in repatriation among the Greek academic diaspora, highlighting a mix of motivations and challenges.
The study, led by Aphrodite Xydi and Corina Anagnostopoulou, focuses on the willingness of Greek-origin professors, researchers, and PhD holders to return to Greece.
While many are open to repatriation, they cite concerns about Greece’s academic system and socio-political environment.
Key findings from the research show that 59% of academics are open to returning to Greece within the next five years, with the highest interest coming from those in Canada (72%) and Australia (67%). However, lower interest was observed from those based in Switzerland, the Netherlands, and Sweden, as well as from some fields like computer science and engineering.
Despite acknowledging low salaries, most respondents indicated they are not asking for excessive compensation to return. Instead, they cited factors like meritocracy, academic research funding, and Greece’s socio-political environment as key concerns.
“While participants believe that salaries in Greece are low, they do not demand exorbitant amounts as an incentive for returning,” said Xydi. She also noted that the meritocracy issue is a major barrier for those considering repatriation.
Personal motivations, such as ties to family and the desire to contribute to Greece, were found to be the strongest drivers for those considering a return. However, bureaucratic issues, low research funding, and lack of meritocracy in Greek universities were cited as significant deterrents.
Younger academics, particularly those aged 26-45, expressed a strong preference for permanent, full-time positions, while others were more interested in part-time or visiting professor roles.
This demographic also showed heightened interest in returning, especially those from Canada and Australia, where a sense of nostalgia for Greece is more pronounced.
In terms of Greek universities, while 61% of participants gave positive evaluations of student and teacher levels, 77% expressed dissatisfaction with salaries, and 69% highlighted a lack of meritocracy.
These concerns, coupled with Greece’s broader socio-political issues, such as housing and safety, further complicate the repatriation decision.
The study underscores the importance of addressing these challenges to successfully attract the Greek academic diaspora back to the country, offering a potential solution to the “brain drain” experienced during Greece’s financial crisis.
Source: Kathimerini.
