Responsible north–south research and innovation: A framework for transdisciplinary research leadership and management

Matthew A. French, S. Fiona Barker, Rebekah Henry, Amelia Turagabeci, Ancha Ansariadi, Autiko Tela, Diego Ramirez-Lovering, Fitriyanty Awaluddin, Ihsan Latief, Isoa Vakarewa, Ruzka R. Taruc, Tony Wong, Brett Davis, Rebekah Brown and Karin Leder

Research Policy, 2024, vol. 53, issue 7

Abstract: The number, scale and ambition of transdisciplinary research initiatives between the global north and the global south is increasing, yet there is very little theoretical or empirical scholarship on how to lead and manage implementation to promote responsible practice. Within science, technology and innovation (STI) studies and decolonising research frameworks, and utilising collaborative autoethnography, this study codifies experience with implementing the ‘Revitalising Informal Settlements and their Environments’ (RISE) program (2017–2020). Our specific aim is to explore the leadership and management tensions and challenges of implementing transboundary transdisciplinary research. The findings reaffirm the importance of research leaders and managers carefully operationalising north–south research by critically reflecting on power asymmetries between disciplines, partners and locations, leveraging the potential for transdisciplinary consortia to build research capabilities in the global south, and creating a culture of reflexivity on the historical and social positionality in which research is designed, funded, implemented and evaluated. The findings foreground the role of boundary-spanning ‘integrators’ and ‘pracademics’, roles that have received little attention to date but are essential for effective delivery and societal impact beyond scientific advances. A framework for implementing north–south transdisciplinary research is outlined with five domains: (1) collaborative leadership; (2) agile management; (3) flexible consortia; (4) researcher positionality; and (5) co-design and participation. The framework can support efforts for responsibly designing and implementing large, transdisciplinary, cross-country research programs in line with ambitions for decolonising north–south research.

Keywords: Research management; Transdisciplinary; Sustainability; Global south; Research leadership; Decolonising research (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:respol:v:53:y:2024:i:7:s0048733324000970

DOI: 10.1016/j.respol.2024.105048

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