Research Partnerships – Debating Development Research

20/10/202620/10/2026

The “Equitable Partnerships” Conundrum: Reflecting on how Aspirations for Equity in Large Research Consortia Can Lead to Action

By Peter Taylor / Third post in a mini-series on large grant-funded research centres: read the previous ones here and here)

For many years, I have had the opportunity to work in large grant funded initiatives in different forms – projects, programmes and centres – as well as in many smaller collaborations. Often I have been a partner within an initiative, and at times I’ve had the privilege to lead large programmes. There is rarely time to pause and reflect amidst the hectic nature of these collaborations, but a recent initiative with Southern Voice has encouraged me to take the time needed to reflect on my experiences.

22/09/202622/09/2026

The Unintended Effects of Development Research Funding Structures Should be a Europe-wide Conversation

Do Big Research Grants Lead to the ‘Faux-Popularisation’ of Principle Investigators’s Flagship Concepts?

By Portia Roelofs / First post in a mini-series on large grant-funded research centres

In 1990 the Beninese political scientist Paulin Hountondji called attention to the role of concept generation and dissemination in ‘the North’s Monopoly on theory’. In recent years European Development Studies and adjacent discipline of African Studies has turned the spotlight on how this hierarchy is reproduced in conferences, journals, hiring and textbooks. With 70-85% of African research produced through international collaborations, and mainly funded by European countries, European research funding regimes are a key node in this landscape.

15/05/202615/05/2026

Cooking Knowledge Together: Rethinking Collaboration in Academia

By Luca Sára Bródy

In an era of overlapping crises – from climate breakdown to deepening social inequalities – calls for more “impactful” research are everywhere. Universities promise solutions, funding bodies demand relevance, and scholars are expected to produce knowledge that can address urgent societal challenges. But what if the problem is not only what research produces, but how it is done – and why current ways of doing research so often fail to respond to these crises?

03/03/2026

The Two Blind Spots of the ‘Equitable Partnerships’ Debate

By Eyob Balcha Gebremariam

There might be more than two, but I want to focus on these two blind spots, both in the scholarly debate and in the policy domains of “equitable partnerships”. The first is the dominance of the “development frame”. Unless we question the funding of research partnerships through development assistance, our efforts to achieve equity and justice will remain below par.

14/03/202502/12/2025

Building Inclusive Partnerships: Key Strategies for Successful Funding Applications

By Roseanna Avento, Kelly Brito and Susanne von Itter

In the realm of research and development, fostering inclusive global academic partnerships is crucial for addressing equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) considerations. These partnerships not only enhance the quality and relevance of research but also ensure that diverse perspectives and expertise are integrated into collaborations. Inclusive partnerships help bridge gaps between different regions, disciplines, and communities, promoting a decolonial and more equitable approach to engagement between the Global South and Global North.