I continue, even here at the end of 2021, to see research on the mental health and psychosocial wellbeing of people in low- and middle-income countries, led by researchers in high income countries, for which no local collaborator is listed as a co-author. I find this troubling, and feel it lends credence to the view of much of our research as having a colonialist underpinning. If a study reports on help- seeking behavior among displaced people in Country X, or Intimate Partner Violence in Occupied Country Y, or patterns of distress among survivors of violence in Country Z, shouldn't people from the target countries & communities be involved in all aspects of the research, including co-authorship on publications?
I agree, Qais, it is very troubling. Not ever paper is the result of an NIH funded project where foreign institutions we not eligible. There is no excuse for other papers, I think the most, not to engage local researchers. This kind of neglect, only reinforces refugee mistrust in Western research and the feeling that their suffering has been commodified.
Complete agreement with your opinion. Also all cllaborating co-researchers benefit from greater intersubjectivity/objectivity and mutual insights that occur at all stages of the research process
I assure you that the problem isn't confined to mental health!!
you are right. is better for the researchers to involve the local scholars to prove the clarity on data provided by respondents.
Good Question! This has been my observation as well. Not only the reluctancy of western writers to collaborate/work through local leaders and thinkers but also there are even barely any significant references, quotes, or citations, in the general western academic literature, from scholars outside north America and western Europe. That is due to either lack of appreciation of others' work scholarship and wisdom or just due to lack of awareness -- simply following the trend/fashion of citing only those in our own vicinity or inner circle and discipline or even staying within our limited sub-discipline. Thus, the interdisciplinary exchange of insights and wisdom is very weak. Hopefully, the remedy may come through broadening our horizon, appreciation, and global perspective and through cultivating the much needed "cultural humility." Right? NAH
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