For integration and implementation sciences (i2S) to be a truly global endeavour, it needs to embrace decolonisation. i2Insights welcomes contributions that provide insights into all aspects of decolonisation of research and highlights four recent contributions here.

kate harriden’s insights cover recognising colonial writing and the why and the how of tackling decolonising academic writing. Tips include accepting that it will take time and consistent effort to develop decolonial writing skills; drafting a positionality statement to become more aware of colonizing tendencies and biases; and reading, citing and co-authoring with First Nations authors.

Maru Mormina and Romina Istratii tackle decolonising research capacity development, especially how the Global North can get away from a deficit mentality towards the Global South. They argue that research capacity development needs to incorporate three broad principles: 1) Epistemic pluralism through cognitive justice, 2) Equity of access through systems strengthening and 3) Sustainability achieved through localisation.

Peter Taylor and Crystal Tremblay review four approaches to shifting mindsets, especially in the context of development. They are 1) Identifying what, and whose, knowledge is valued, counted, and integrated into development processes, 2) Decolonising knowledge asymmetries – learning through research, and as researchers, 3) Investing resources to transform existing colonialities, and 4) Identifying ‘our’ role as individuals, as organisations, as institutions.

Ellen Lewis and Anne Stephens have developed the concept of inclusive systemic thinking, which involves prioritising local knowledge and experiences of marginalised population groups, including through the ‘GEMs’ framework for complex systemic intersectional analysis based on: Gender equality/equity (non-binary), Environments (natural and/or contextual) and Marginalised voices (human and non-human).

Finally, two tags provide a way of finding all i2Insights contributions on this topic. They are:

• https://i2insights.org/tag/decolonisation-of-research/
• https://i2insights.org/tag/first-nations-research-lessons/

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Posted: August 2023
Last modified: August 2023