| Popis: |
This paper outlines challenges hindering the recognition of development professionals and researchers from the Global South in knowledge production and ways to address these challenges. Applying a lens of decolonising knowledge makes visible ways of thinking and knowing, cultures, and ethical systems that have been suppressed in the interests of rationality and modernity (Mignolo 2007). By challenging dominant narratives and practices of international development, we can unmake these norms and remake alternatives to ensure social justice, equity and inclusion of diverse voices. Strengthened representation and the voices of researchers and professionals from the Global South must be accompanied by corresponding shifts in the research ecosystem. Systemic changes are required to decolonise the social and economic systems of international development, which requires both radical change and incremental change. This paper draws on a Guidance Note on authorship and recognition in knowledge production in water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) that was developed as part of a research grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF). This Guidance Note was intended to raise awareness of the power imbalances between funders, grantees, and the wider partners associated with BMGF and address associated issues, as part of their Equity, Diversity and Inclusion strategy. This Guidance can be relevant to a broad range of researchers working across different disciplines of international development and sustainability sciences intended to have a positive impact. In this paper we offer seven broad principles of decolonisation and explanatory notes to prompt researchers and other sector actors to consider when funding, designing, and implementing research and knowledge production. This paper aims to link theory and practice - it is an invitation to reflect on access points within our system of knowledge production to dismantle privileges and inequalities in the international development sector instituted by the legacy of colonialism. |
