Digital Platform to Support the Dynamization of Academic Collaboration Networks in Higher Education: Design and Development of a Prototype Applied to the Brazilian Diaspora

This paper presents RCDAB, a digital platform developed to support and boost collaborative networks in the Brazilian academic diaspora. Based on the problem identified in the fragmentation and reduced visibility of academic networks, a functional prototype was designed to integrate researchers, projects, events and open data into a single digital infrastructure. Based on a solid theoretical framework on collaborative networks in higher education and a methodology inspired by Design Science Research (DSR), the prototype was implemented with modern technologies such as React.js and Tailwind CSS. The preliminary evaluation showed that the functionalities were in line with the initial objectives, with the interactive visualization of collaborative networks standing out as a significant innovation. Future prospects include robust institutional integration and possible international expansion, initially in the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries (CPLP), with potential European enlargement.