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International migration and innovation diffusion: an eclectic survey. Regional Studies. In the new era of international mass migration, the role of highly skilled individuals in diffusing innovation has attracted considerable attention. Using economic history studies as a template, the paper organizes several strands of the literature around three main themes: the distinction between mobility and migration; the directions of flows; and their contents. Migration supports diffusion from origin to host countries, but also in the opposite direction, as well as within and across destinations. A research agenda is proposed with special focus on the importance of social ties among migrants and the distinction between access to general information and knowledge exchanges.