What are some of the challenges that researchers from the Global South face when engaging in development research initiatives, and how can resetting the relationships that underpin North-South collaborations help? What are the pivotal areas where change is needed?
This synthesis paper brings together perspectives from across the Global South and North to explore the complexities and challenges of promoting equity in research. Findings reveal that while actors in the Global North—particularly research for development funders—most often focus on reshaping research partnerships and advancing equity as an end goal in itself, those in the Global South view equity as integral to broader systemic transformations within the development knowledge ecosystem.
Development research itself has inherent inequalities and requires systemic change. Although North-South partnerships are often preferred as a popular funding strategy for it, power imbalances often limit their potential.
Development effectiveness could be understood as a critical enabler for the 2030 Agenda, based on the premise of collective action and responsibility.
