PICU diaries and parental PTSD symptoms-a pilot randomized controlled trial assessing feasibility and psychological outcomes.

Globally, women constitute a minority within the research community, as only one in three individuals engaged in research is female; that is, they represent just one-third of researchers worldwide (). This gap limits the capacity of scientific systems to respond to global challenges (). Women in scientifically lagging countries face multiple challenges to engage in research and these challenges are compounded by caregiving responsibilities (). Consequently, mobility between different countries becomes a key pathway for women aspiring to develop scientific careers. “Brain drain” and “brain circulation” are well established terms used to describe different interpretations of the international mobility of scientific, academic, or highly qualified individuals. In this manuscript, “brain drain” refers to the emigration of highly skilled individuals and the potential loss of knowledge, human capital, or scientific capacity for the country of origin (; ). In contrast, “brain circulation” refers to the transnational circulation of knowledge, skills, networks, and collaborations generated through the mobility and continued engagement of highly qualified individuals, without depending exclusively on their permanent return (). While these two terms have different interpretations, they are rooted on the mobility of individuals. Early empirical studies on this process identified the United States and other countries of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) as destinations for people with tertiary education (). In Latin America, since the 1960s, destination countries have included Mexico, Uruguay, Argentina, and Brazil (). Subsequent research revealed how Central America and Africa are the regions with high skilled emigration, when excluding small island states and considering countries with populations above four million (). The “brain circulation” perspective further develops the mobility concept by describing the communities that maintain links with their countries of origin. These communities and their transnational networks are known as “scientific diasporas”, as they include scientists living or working abroad who maintain actual or potential academic, professional, or collaborative links with their country of origin and may promote knowledge circulation between destination and origin countries (). Additionally, it is important to point out that some highly skilled individuals are part of a community of returnees that may also promote circulation of knowledge with the expertise gained during their time abroad. For developing countries such as Honduras, leveraging the knowledge of its diaspora and returnee scientists could be key to driving scientific and technological advancement. However, Honduras faces major obstacles: national investment in research and development of just 0.06% of GDP () and the absence of official and governmental mechanisms to connect with its diaspora, impeding efforts to channel knowledge and contributions (). Returnee scientists may also encounter barriers, re-entry shock and psychological stress, limited local mentorship and networking, professional and career hurdles, academic isolation, and limited research infrastructure and resources (; ; ). Additionally, Honduran women in science face other challenges like fighting against stereotypes and the scarcity or lack of awareness of role models (). In this context, organizations or entities can be spaces for coordination among local women scientists, returnees, and members of the scientific diaspora.