North–South research collaborations: An empirical evaluation against principles of transboundary research
Journal article, 2022

Motivation: Transboundary research collaborations (TRCs) are critical in supporting evidence-based actions to address complex global issues, yet there remains a lack of empirical knowledge that would detail how TRCs are organized, how activities are facilitated, and how actors interact. Purpose: We address this knowledge gap by evaluating a North–South TRC against the 11 principles for TRCs defined by the Commission for Research Partnerships with Developing Countries (KFPE). Methods and approach: Using personal accounts, content analysis, and semi-structured interviews/surveys, our evaluation casts light on how the process of running a TRC in the 21st century is enacted from the perspective of the individual. Findings: Our results and discussion provide the basis for a more probing and systematic case for and against contemporary TRCs, their underlying value structures and ways of working, as well as the dimensions that are lacking. Policy implications: Evaluation of TRCs must include the experience of all the actors involved in the TRC and not only the outcomes they produce; transdisciplinarity cannot be viewed as the only way to solve general development issues, but must be carefully considered in order not to mask underlying issues of inequality and poor ethics; and the ring-fencing of funding for a specific purpose or TRC does not negate the need to scrutinize the activities that are undertaken in the name of the TRC.

transboundary research collaboration

North–South

geographies of research culture

qualitative evaluation

transdisciplinarity

Author

Shelley Kotze

Mistra Urban Futures

University of Gothenburg

Mirek Dymitrow

Mistra Urban Futures

University of Gothenburg

Lund University

Development Policy Review

0950-6764 (ISSN) 1467-7679 (eISSN)

Vol. 40 2 e12555

Driving Forces

Sustainable development

Subject Categories

Social Sciences Interdisciplinary

Business Administration

Other Social Sciences not elsewhere specified

DOI

10.1111/dpr.12555

More information

Latest update

4/5/2022 5