African Brain Circulation: Beyond the Drain-Gain Debate (International Studies in Sociology and Social Anthropology, 105)

In this book, discussions on African brain circulation and transnational society provide new insights and point to fertile research and policy agendas. Today, a globally important dilemma concerns citizens who either depart from their homeland to enhance their life chances in a rich society - but possibly contribute to a brain drain for their homeland - or stay home and work - but possibly contribute to a brain waste since conditions at home will not allow them to contribute commensurately with their capability. Increasingly, scholars on the subject of global South-to-West emigrants argue that it is not just a possibility of a brain drain occurring when citizens emigrate or brain waste occurring when they stay home, but rather a brain gain when they emigrate strategically and contribute to development in the homeland.

Rubin Patterson has a master's degree in engineering from George Washington University and a doctorate in sociology from Howard University. Presently, he is a professor of sociology at the University of Toledo. His present research interests include brain circulation, transnational society, and technology and development in Africa.