Andriamihaja, Onintsoa Ravaka

This review examines the decolonisation process within North-South (N-S) research collaborations, specifically focusing on decolonised practices. It also briefly discusses the influence of institutional settings and power dynamics in ensuring decolonised practices. Our findings reveal that these elements significantly mould decolonisation practices, underscoring the need for a comprehensive understanding of the broader context in which these collaborations occur. Notably, we found a limited number of studies led by Northern researchers, and indeed fewer led by Southern researchers, who actively practice decolonisation in their N-S research collaborations. This raises crucial questions regarding the extent to which the voices, perspectives, and expertise of the South are included and valued in these collaborations. The review also highlights the need for increased efforts to promote South-led research and to challenge and transform the power dynamics that often marginalise Southern researchers and institutions.
We argue that a deep understanding of these dynamics is important for developing more equitable and inclusive decolonised research practices and for addressing the power imbalances that often characterise N-S research collaborations. The study concludes with a call for equal N-S research collaboration as a key strategy for overcoming the economic, social, and cultural boundaries often dividing Northern and Southern researchers. We argue that such partnerships are essential for fostering more inclusive and equitable research practices and advancing decolonisation. Incorporating insights from earlier work, we also highlight the importance of early and open communication, which aids decolonisation in N-S research collaborations. We note that protecting specific individuals within teams can lead to the omission of critical issues, potentially endangering the sustainability of relationships beyond the project's duration. We suggest creating dedicated time and space for discussions about strengths and weaknesses, thus enhancing N-S research collaborations and the decolonisation process.