L'Italo-Americano

THURSDAY, AUGUST 24 2023 www.italoamericano.org L'Italo-Americano 2 E very time we talk about young Ital- ian scientists mov- ing to the USA to c o n t i n u e t h e i r research, the discussion shifts to what's wrong in Italy and the causes of the "brain drain." It's undoubtedly a significant aspect, but does it really make s e n s e t o g i v e g e o g r a p h i c a l b o u n d a r i e s t o s c i e n c e a n d technological progress? Giving an absolute answer is not simple, and we must keep it in mind. Research often thrives on experiences and opportunities, encounters, and coincidences. Sometimes, one leaves to engage with new research methods but returns home shortly after; other times, one stays forever in the host country because its labo- ratories and institutes operate with organizational criteria or human resources more suitable for one's experiments. At Halting the Brain Drain? We should instead believe more in Italian research From the Editor times, going back and forth, keeping a suitcase always in hand, becomes a natural part of a researcher's life and repre- sents the best solution for the continuation of scientific ini- tiatives. In the end, Italian scientists who choose America to study and work follow the "very personal" dynamics of those who emigrate: some go to the USA and never return, some come back immediately, some go back and forth, and some find, within the Italian-American community, an optimal dimen- sion to remain suspended between two worlds. To understand who the Italian researchers in the United States are today, a study promoted by the Italian Embassy in Washington, the consular diplomatic network, Comites, and Issnaf is underway. The "Speciale USA" questionnaire was born in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and the Institute for Research on Population and Social Policies (Irpps) of the National Research Council. It represents a focus on the United States but is integral part of a broader project aimed at all Italian researchers abroad, launched by Irpps and the ministry in November 2021. Its purpose is to understand Italian researchers' views on research opportunities in Italy and the i n i t i a t i v e s t h a t o u r c o u n t r y p u t i n p l a c e t o f a c i l i t a t e researchers' mobility. A series of questions asked to evaluate one's international experience for the development of science, to tell if the idea of returning to Italy has ever been considered, what would motivate a possible return home, and what factors or incen- tives would make one consider the idea of repatriating and be a researcher in Italy. While we wait for results, which are expected by the end of the year, it is clear that - beyond numbers, statistical elab- orations, and quantitative analyses - this study aims to assess the current situation and identify trends. Data from AIRE, the registry of Italian residents abroad, show that the exodus towards the more dynamic labor and research mar- ket in America continues, and that the USA remains one of the most coveted and sought-after destinations for those deciding to pursue a career abroad. However, what can effec- tively retain our "brains" or convince them to return remains to be understood. It is equally true that a country that invests more in research is stronger and better prepared for the challenges of the future. For the moment, this great flight abroad of young minds, and especially the fact they fit well into the American research and development context, says at least one thing: that our researchers are well prepared. This means that Ital- ian universities work well, and there is no need to rely on academic rankings to understand it: the proof lies in the fact that, if more and more Italian scientists stay to work in the USA, then their training and education are more than up to the challenge. Clearly, we have to say and accept that these brilliant young minds are not encouraged to stay by a national system unable to adequately value their talent, nor willing to pay well or offer rewarding jobs and laboratories for their research. In other words, our system cannot provide our researchers with what they need to keep up with internation- al demands and does not ensure long-term prospects, which is a problem, because reaching scientifically relevant out- comes often requires a lot of time, with little to show in the meantime. However, knowing that American multinationals are increasingly recruiting in Italy demonstrates we only need to believe in it more, because all we need to succeed is already right here. Simone Schiavinato, Editor Simone Schiavinato NEWS & FEATURES TOP STORIES PEOPLE EVENTS P.O.BOX 6528, ALTADENA, CA 91003 Member of FUSIE (Federazione Unitaria Stampa Italianaall'Estero), COGITO L'Italo-Americano Please send correspondence to P.O. BOX 6528, ALTADENA, CA 91003 www.italoamericano.org L'Italo-Americano Newspaper (a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization), www.italoameri- cano.org, is the largest and longest-running Italian newspaper in America, not to men- tion the cultural and news resource for all things Italian in the US. A bilingual newspaper which represents an historical landmark for the Italian American Communities in the West Coast and throughout the US. L'Italo-Americano benefits from subsidies by the Italian Government, Memberships and Donations intended to support and not interrupt a mission that began in 1908 to preserve and promote the Italian language and culture in the USA Periodicals postage paid at Monrovia, California 91016, and additional mailing offices. PUBLISHER Robert Barbera Grande Ufficiale EDITOR IN CHIEF Simone Schiavinato ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGER Patrick Abbate EDITORIAL COORDINATOR Barbara Minafra COPY EDITOR Francesca Bezzone LOS ANGELES CONTRIBUTOR Silvia Nittoli SAN FRANCISCO CONTRIBUTORS Serena Perfetto SEATTLE CONTRIBUTOR Rita Cipalla CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Mariella Radaelli, Matt Walker, Francesca Bezzone, Luca Ferrari, Stefano Carnevali, Paula Reynolds, Teresa Di Fresco Nicoletta Curradi, Generoso D'Agnese, Jessica S. Levy, Fabrizio Del Bimbo, Maria Gloria, Chuck Pecoraro, Anthony Di Renzo Serena Perfetto, Kenneth Scambray, Chiara D'Alessio, Luca Signorini, Giulia Franceschini © 2020 L'Italo-Americano Membership: One year $59 - Single copy $2.25 POSTMASTER: Send address changes to L'Italo Americano PO Box 6528 Altadena, CA 91003 P.O.BOX 6528, ALTADENA, CA 91003

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