An important issue in decolonising development is the under-representation of authors from lower-and middle-income countries (LMIC) in leading written work. This is concerning for the development sector because instead voices from high-income countries (HIC) are given primacy and considered more credible than others.
There are multiple factors underlying this dynamic. Underrepresentation of voice arises, in part, from an imbalance in opportunity to lead the formulation of research agendas and knowledge-production processes. There are often inequalities in research collaborations, such as control of funding and design of the research. Associated with this can be ethical concerns that arise with extractive research practices and research that may not provide benefits to the context in which research was undertaken.
The guidance suggests principles and practices that support the representation of professionals and researchers from LMIC in written work and create an enabling environment for their inclusion and empowerment in development. The document aims to link theory and practice - it is an invitation to hold a mirror up to the current WASH and development sectors, to begin conversations about our experiences, and to make necessary changes.
Funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF), the guidance note was intended to support their Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion framework and provide guidance that can be integrated into grants and projects that have a knowledge production component. It is also likely to be of interest to other researchers and professionals in WASH and international development working in not-for-profit, government, and private-sector organisations.
The guidance was prepared by ISF researchers in collaboration with other experts within and beyond the WASH sector who are working on the decolonisation of knowledge. Several consultations were conducted to ensure the guidance note reflected a range of perspectives with collaborators from Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brazil, Indonesia, Kenya, Mexico, U.K. and the U.S.A.
The work was informed through a variety of literature review, focus groups, and qualitative interviews, together in consultation with BMGF staff.
RESEARCH OUTPUTS
Authorship and recognition in knowledge production in WASH: A guidance note (2022) (Report)
The Big Decolonisation Dialogue (2024) (Podcast)
Researchers
-
Senior Research Consultant -
Professor and Research Director
Years
- 2021-2022
Location
- Global
Client
- Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
