Steps to take to achieve more equitable North South research collaboration
06-03-25
Fifty researchers from 20 universities across seven countries in Africa, six universities in Denmark, one in Myanmar, one in Australia and one in Spain discussed equitable partnerships in development research. Here is a summary of some of their main points – points worth considering in North South research partnerships.
By Elena Adamo and Vibeke Quaade
For decades, Danida has supported development research collaborations between Danish institutions and partners in the Global South with the aim of driving impactful research and strengthening capacities. Research is often viewed as being primarily the creation of new knowledge. Less attention is given to how unequal systems and power imbalances within research collaborations shape that knowledge, often to the exclusion of important perspectives.
To achieve truly representative knowledge, more equitable collaboration models are essential. In March 2023, Danida Fellowship Centre therefore hosted a seminar on equitable partnerships in development research for Danida-funded researchers to share experiences and explore ways to address power imbalances in global research collaborations.
The programme featured plenary sessions and smaller group discussions focused on four significant key themes selected in advance by the researchers: Setting the research agenda, equality in authorship, , financial and institutional structures and mutual learning.
Based on the discussions, the researchers compiled a set of key Recommendations addressing aspects of the four central themes. In addition, we have summarised key points from the group discussions:
Setting the research agenda
Research priorities must be defined jointly to ensure that the knowledge created is relevant and representative. In the case of development research and collaborative research projects between partners from the Global North and partners from the Global South, it means that both parties should have an equal say. For instance, research questions should be co-designed with Global South institutions so that they are based on local needs. To facilitate this, the key recommendations include simple but necessary actions, such as allocating seed money to enable pre-proposal engagement with all partners, and allowing sufficient time between the call for proposals and the deadline for applications for such engagements.
Key quote: “Understanding what determines the core areas, facilitating social engagement between African and Northern researchers, and bringing in Afrocentric theories”
Equality in authorship
A major challenge is fair recognition in authorship. The researchers highlighted that clear agreements on authorship ensure that all contributors, especially those from the Global South, are recognised fairly for their work. One example of how to implement this is by fostering cooperation between donors, research institutions, and universities to establish transparent guidelines and processes for authorship attribution.
Key quote: “Research publication is a joint activity. Authors from both the Global North and Global South need to work together.”
Financial and institutional structures
Global North-Global South research partnerships are often presented as equitable, but financial realities do not always reflect this. Key recommendations highlight the need to invest in tools that address financial disparities, such as more flexible funding mechanisms and improved engagement in fund distribution.
Key quote: “When it comes to the financial aspects, the demands of Northern partners are often imposed on their Southern counterparts in ways that are not always immediately apparent.”
Mutual learning
To ensure mutual learning we must value each other’s knowledge systems. However, it is not just about Global North and Global South researchers learning from one another. Mutual learning also include the communities where the research is taking place and other stakeholders. The key recommendations suggest how to create community involvement and stakeholder ownership.
Key quote: “Mutual learning is the recognition of each other’s knowledge sources and knowledge systems”
An increasing number of organisations are taking steps to tackle inequities in Global North-Global South collaborative research. A significant recent milestone is the publication of the Africa Charter in 2024, developed by leading African higher education institutions:
“To be transformative, research collaborations must not only ensure equity in joint inquiry. They must actively redress the multiple underlying layers of power imbalances in scientific knowledge production.”
The seminar on equitable partnerships in development research engagement was inspired by initiatives such as the Research Fairness Initiative and the Swiss Commission for Research Partnerships with Developing Countries.
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