What is RAICEX?

RAICEX is the Network of Associations of Spanish Researchers and Scientists Abroad, which currently brings together 22 associations spread over 36 countries in five continents and has more than 4,500 members. RAICEX brings together Spanish scientists and researchers abroad in a common forum and promotes the exchange of experiences and knowledge with all the agents of the Spanish Science, Technology, and Innovation System. In essence, RAICEX serves as an advisory body, source of information, and catalyst of international and multidirectional relations in scientific matters that contributes to the progress of science. Together, we are RAICEX #LaUniónHaceLaCiencia.

SRUK/CERU participation in RAICEX

Organisation, events, and outreach

Since the establishment of RAICEX in 2018, SRUK/CERU has been a key collaborator within the network, actively contributing to its development and governance through various roles in its Board of Directors:

2018-2019: SRUK/CERU held the presidency of RAICEX during its foundational year, represented by Javier Escudero.
2022-2023: SRUK/CERU assumed the vice-presidency of RAICEX, represented by Carmen Sánchez-Cañizares (2022) and Irene Echeverría Altuna (2023).
Since 2023: SRUK/CERU has been leading the Commission of Science Policy & Diplomacy, represented by Javier Pardo Díaz and Igor Arrieta.
Since 2024: SRUK/CERU also co-leads the Commission of Institutional Relations, represented by Irene Echeverría Altuna.

In addition to these roles, SRUK/CERU has actively contributed to the organisation of major events such as the Annual Meeting of Spanish Science, Technology, and Innovation Diplomacy and the Bridging European Science IV, further strengthening collaboration among Spanish researchers and fostering international partnerships. Furthermore, SRUK/CERU’s commitment to disseminating the work of Spanish researchers abroad is exemplified by the fact that Professor Mercedes Maroto-Valer was awarded the ACES-Margarita Salas Prize, a recognition proposed by SRUK/CERU among the associations within RAICEX.

Science Policy and Diplomacy

Under the leadership or participation of SRUK/CERU, the Commission of Science Policy and Diplomacy of RAICEX has prepared the following documents and reports:

[2023-24]

Proposals of RAICEX for the public consultation of the Royal Decree regulating the statute of ANECA (November 2024).
Proposals for the public consultation of the Royal Decree regulating the knowledge exchange activity assessment. You can find RAICEX’s proposals via this link (August 2024).
Proposals for the public consultation of the Ministerial Order regulating the simplified accreditation in the Spanish University system for university staff holding equivalent positions to Full Professor or Associate Professor in EU member states. You can find RAICEX’s proposals via this link (April 2024).
Proposals for the public consultation by ANECA on the general criteria for state accreditation in the Spanish university system. You can find RAICEX’s proposals via this link (February 2024).
“La voz de una diáspora organizada”. Article published in El País in January 2024.
Proposals for the public consultation by ANECA on the evaluation criteria for research activity (six-year periods of research). You can find RAICEX’s proposals via this link (November 2023).
Proposals for the public consultation phase of the Royal Decree regulating the statute of Spanish citizenship abroad. You can read the proposal sent by RAICEX to the Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security, and Migration (October 2023).

[2022-23]

Decalogue to improve the internationalization of the Spanish System of Science, Technology, and Innovation ahead of the general elections in July 23 in Spain. You can find it via this link (July 2023).
Proposals for the public consultation phase of the Royal Decree regulating state accreditation in the Spanish university system. You can read the proposal sent by RAICEX to the Ministry of Universities (June 2023)
Proposals for the prior public consultation of the Royal Decree regulating state accreditation in the Spanish university system. You can read the proposal sent by RAICEX to the Ministry of Universities (May 2023)
Proposal for amendments to the Preliminary Draft Law of the University System (LOSU). You can read the proposal sent by RAICEX to the Ministry and parliamentary groups (September 2022).

[2021-22]

“Reforma de la Ley de la Ciencia”. Opinion article published in SEBBM in September 2022.
“The story of RAICEX as a successful scientific diaspora organization”. Article published in Frontiers in July 2022.
RAICEX contribution for the public consultation for the modification of the Law of Science, Technology and Innovation. You can read the proposal sent by RAICEX.
“Hacia un sistema de ciencia e innovación competitivo y atractivo a escala internacional”. Article published in El País in March 2022.

[2020-21]

“ATRAE” (Attraction of Talent and Return to Spain) report. This document is a decalogue of proposals to facilitate the return of Spanish researchers from abroad. The report arises as a complementary action to the “Return to Spain Plan” approved in 2019. You can read the Decalogue and the corresponding report.

[2019-20]

Report on “Patronage Laws and Academy-Industry collaborations Presented”, published in November 2019. You can read the report.
Report on the “Tenure Track” for the Ministry of Science and Innovation.

^{(*)RAICEX hosts an archive of most of these reports and publications (see also this page)}

Institutional Relations

The Institutional Relations Commission of RAICEX is developing a professionalisation plan which will foster the network’s sustainability in the long term. We have and continue to explore different formulas to professionalise RAICEX by engaging with longstanding collaborators, stakeholders and new sponsors. Moreover, we promote the formation and maintenance of fluid collaborations between RAICEX and relevant institutions by supporting the development and formalisation of agreements and by organising virtual and in-person exchanges.

Science in Spanish

Currently, 95% of global scientific publications are written in English, with Spanish being the second most used language, accounting for just 1% of the total. This linguistic dominance has far-reaching implications. Public engagement with scientific discoveries across disciplines heavily relies on access to content in one’s native language. Advances in machine translation technologies offer new opportunities and challenges for increasing the use of languages other than English in research. A growing number of scholars are highlighting the challenges posed by the predominance of English as the primary language for scholarly communication. These challenges affect researchers, science, and society at large, underscoring the need for greater linguistic inclusivity in academia. RAICEX’s Science in Spanish Commission (Comisión de Ciencia en Español) aims to promote the global use of Spanish in research and science. The committee is promoting multilingual practices within the academic and scientific community, seeking to understand the diverse and complex dynamics of language use in research. The committee is also analysing both the benefits and challenges posed by linguistic diversity, particularly in the countries where RAICEX operates, with a strong focus on Latin America. SRUK/CERU is actively participating in this initiative, aligned with the values and vision of our own Language Policy Committee.

Women in Science

The SRUK/CERU WOM=N and SCIENCE Committee has also actively participated in the different initiatives carried out by the Research and Gender Commission (IgR) of RAICEX, where the main objective is to increase the awareness about the gender gap in the labour structure based on research and science. Among the projects this committee have been involved in, it is worth highlighting the following:

In September 2021, the committee participated in the 11th European congress of “Gender Equality in Higher Education” (GEHE). They presented a poster showing an analysis of the gender gaps in academia carried out across 7 countries, including the United Kingdom, together with the policies that each country had implemented to tackle inequality. The most relevant results are summarised in this YouTube video.
Due to the excellent reception that this project has had, RAICEX has expanded the scope of the project. Up to a total of 12 associations established in countries across the globe, including SRUK/CERU, have come together to write a White Book on International Gender Equality Policies in Science that evaluates and reflects on these issues from multiple perspectives. The White Book is expected to be published at the end of 2024.

How can you collaborate with RAICEX?

If you are a member of SRUK/CERU, you can become more involved in RAICEX as a member of this network by:

Registering to receive the monthly RAICEX newsletter.
Joining the RAICEX commissions as a volunteer. If this sounds like the projects you would be keen on participating, please send an email to [email protected].uk.
Disseminating and giving visibility to your research through (1) the monthly RAICEX radio program Punto de Enlace available on Radio Exterior and led by our SRUK/CERU Ambassador Eduardo Olive or (2) by written interviews. If you are keen on participating in this initiative, please fill out this form so the team can get in contact with you.
Joining the RAICEX Telegram channel so you can catch up with the latest news of the network such as job offers.
Participating in the calls and agreements offered to all associations. You can find more information about this initiative here: scholarships for short stays CRIS-RAICEX.