Formation of an academic diaspora: A study of scholars from Turkey in the higher education sector in Britain

Abstract

The internationalisation of higher education has revealed the importance of understanding the formation and dynamics of academic diasporas. Most studies focus on cohesive academic diasporas, overlooking fragmentation in diasporas as a central concern. In this paper, we define and theorise fragmented academic diaspora. The emergence of a highly fragmented diaspora of scholars from Turkey in the British higher education sector presents an ideal opportunity to examine the notion of a fragmented academic diaspora. Based on an online study of 20 scholars from Turkey in British academia, this paper investigates the formation of an academic diaspora fragmented across social fault lines. We examine the factors driving the formation of a fragmented academic diaspora, the boundaries defining this community and the challenges it faces. Additionally, we discuss these scholars' professional and personal experiences and investigate their integration into the academic landscape of Britain. Based on the expectations and aspirations of the participants, we propose strategies to leverage fragmentation within this academic diaspora as a pathway to fostering synergies amidst fragmentation and divisiveness.