---
# System prepended metadata

title: Hidden narratives

---

# Hidden narratives

## Introduction

Reina Camacho Toro, particle physicist member of the ATLAS collaboration at CERN. Currently working as a researcher for the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) 

Camila Rangel Smith, Research Data Scientist working at The Alan Turing Institute. 

## Hidden Narrative

Reina and I are originally from Venezuela and came to Europe for our PhDs over a decade ago. Since then, we are part of the Venezuelan scientific diaspora, and have made great efforts to keep a link with the academic community back home.

Since 2014 we have been involved in several initiatives for scientific and educational capacity building in Venezuela and beyond, aiming to create alliances between Latin-America and Europe. We've created opportunities for students in the region based on promoting international research environments and open science. 

This is the narrative we want to shed light on today: We are not the only ones, many scientists from developing countries from the Global South are working in Europe and North America and make important efforts to keep the connection with universities and research institutions in their home countries. In many cases this is not recognised as part of our work.  

The work of these scientists are real examples of science diplomacy: creating collaborations that are beneficial for both sides. On one side, contributes to the modernization, and internationalisation of the institutions in the Global South. On the other side, these efforts create new potential collaborations as well as increasing the diversity and inclusion of the residence institutions.

## Call to action

This takes us to our call to action:

- First, it is important recognise the role of the scientific diaspora in science, development & innovation in their home countries and residence countries

- Second, taking into consideration that a better science is an open, inclusive, and global science, we believe we must encourage the participation of scientists in science diplomacy by recognising their participation in these initiatives as part of their job.
