Bridging global divides: How Southern researchers can lead sustainable development by Ana Lucia Kassouf, Verónica Amarante, and Jane Kabubo-Mariara
For VoxDEV
The underrepresentation of Southern researchers in academic journals and conferences impacts the global development research and policy agenda. Initiatives that address the skewed composition of editorial boards, the barriers faced by Southern researchers in attending conferences, and that support international research collaborations are needed.
Southern researchers are uniquely positioned to enrich the global development discourse with their intimate knowledge of the local contexts and nuanced perspectives. Yet, they remain marginalised in international forums and academic journals dominated by authors from North America and Europe. This imbalance perpetuates a narrative that overlooks critical insights and innovative solutions grounded in Southern research.
The underrepresentation of Africa-based researchers, for instance, underscores a troubling trend. Despite a significant focus on Southern countries in development research, only 15% of papers originate from these regions over the past three decades. This stagnation highlights the persistent barriers faced by Southern scholars in accessing global platforms and influencing policy.
Collaboration between Northern and Southern researchers
International collaboration between Northern and Southern researchers offers promise as a bridge towards greater inclusivity. The rise in such partnerships over the past thirty years suggests some progress has been made in reducing the relative academic isolation of Southern scholars. However, these partnerships must navigate challenges, such as reshaping research agendas to align with international priorities, sometimes at the expense of local needs. For example, the popularity of Randomised Control Trials (RCTs) has energised collaborations between researchers from developed and developing countries. However, there have been concerns they may distort research agendas and displace other relevant research. Even as RCTs and global expertise can provide valuable insights, they should not overshadow the importance of context-specific research and locally informed policy decisions.