Scientific diasporas and related non-state actors have increasingly been coming into play to permeate and promote modern science diplomacy. However, these non-formal collaborative architectures are particularly complex to sustain, and their systematic and long-term action rely very much on conjunctural and, above all, individual engagement. The paper provides a multi-stakeholder perspective that analyses the creation, during the lead-up to Brexit, of the first ever scientific advisory board (SAB) at a Portuguese Embassy. In particular, it focuses on the interplay between bottom-up diaspora initiatives and top-down government actions. Our evidence is based on the experience of the development of a non-formal and non-hierarchical collaborative architecture established between Portuguese diplomats and the Portuguese scientific diaspora in the United Kingdom in the time of Brexit. The paper draws on lessons learnt that could be useful to other countries when engaging with their respective scientific diasporas.
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