27 Jul Researching the Basque e-Diaspora: From Fieldwork to Scientific Publications and Policy Impact

Since January 2021, Prof. Igor Calzada has been actively contributing to the strategic and academic formalisation of research on the Basque Diaspora, in close collaboration with the Presidency – General Secretariat for External Action of the Basque Government. His work has involved both policy-oriented research and postgraduate teaching, particularly through the Specialization Course on the Basque Diaspora, where he has been a regular lecturer.

As part of this process, Prof. Calzada has published two high-impact, peer-reviewed articles in leading Q1 journals. These publications explore the emerging role of disruptive digital technologies—such as blockchain, DAOs, data cooperatives, and Generative AI—in shaping the evolving concept of the Basque e-Diaspora, particularly in relation to the beta version of the digital platform www.hanhemen.eus, currently under development.

📘 Scientific Publications:

1. Calzada, I. (2023a)
   Blockchain-Driven Digital Nomadism in the Basque e-Diaspora.
   Published in Globalizations, 21(5), pp. 777–802.
   🔗 Read the article
   📺 Watch presentation
2. Calzada, I. (2023b)
   Disruptive Technologies for e-Diasporas: Blockchain, DAOs, Data Cooperatives, Metaverse, and ChatGPT.
   Published in Futures, 154(C), Article 103258.
   🔗 Read the article
   📺 Watch presentation

These contributions aim to inform the development of the upcoming Basque Diaspora Law (2026), offering a future-oriented perspective on digital belonging, global Basque identity, and the institutional possibilities of techno-political innovation.

🧭 This research positions the Basque Country as a pioneering territory in exploring how digital infrastructures and decentralized technologies can foster more connected, participatory, and globally engaged diasporic communities.