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Research and equity: Insights and actions for a global inclusive future

At the heart of the 2024 Research4Life General Partners Meeting, held in Nairobi and online last week, was a compelling panel titled “Research and Equity — Perspectives on Supporting an Inclusive Research World”. The panel brought together three distinguished speakers: Khutsafalo Kadimo, Medical Librarian from the University of Botswana and representative for Research4Life Group B countries; Nasra Gathoni, Senior Instructor and Health Sciences Librarian at Aga Khan University, Nairobi; and Sarah Phibbs, Director of Research4Life Publisher Partnerships at STM. Here’s a look at the key takeaways from the discussion.

Patience and partnership in open access

Khutsafalo Kadimo opened the discussion by emphasizing the importance of patience in the open access movement. Kadimo highlighted that creating a new research and publishing ecosystem requires a careful and deliberate approach. He pointed out that while open access is progressing, with transformative agreements amplifying it, the true challenge lies in ensuring responsible and high-quality contributions from publishers.

Kadimo urged publishers to partner with stakeholders like Research4Life to develop indigenous research evaluation tools, ensuring that research truly addresses real-world problems. He stressed the need for government-publisher collaborations in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), similar to those in sectors like healthcare and education, to foster a productive research and publishing culture. Kadimo’s call to action was clear: it’s time for publishers and funders to leverage initiatives like Research4Life to support capacity development and uplift local journals and researchers.

Bridging the research access gap

With over 25 years of experience as a librarian, Nasra Gathoni brought a wealth of practical insights to the discussion. Having served as the Kenya country coordinator for e-resources through the Kenya Library and Information Service Consortium (KLISC), she has witnessed firsthand the transformative impact of Research4Life resources on researchers in LMICs.

Gathoni underscored the importance of a multifaceted approach to bridging the research access gap, involving researchers, governments, funders, publishers, and local institutions. She passionately advocated for the need to embrace data sharing and open science practices, fostering a culture of sharing that can accelerate scientific advancements. Gathoni also highlighted the crucial role of mentorship among LMICs researchers and the need for more targeted funding and support from international bodies.

One of her key points was the importance of strengthening local journals and ensuring their sustainability and quality. By making local journals available through trusted platforms like Research4Life, Gathoni believes that more researchers will be encouraged to publish their work, thereby enriching the global body of knowledge.

Addressing DEI in LMICs research

Sarah Phibbs brought a critical DEI (Diversity, equity and inclusion) perspective to the panel, sharing insights from her studies on the representation of LMICs in HIC-based journals. Her research revealed that LMICs are often a lesser priority in DEI activities, with limited focus on solutions for LMIC researchers as authors and peer reviewers.

Phibbs identified several key areas where Research4Life and its partners can make a difference:

1. Ensuring that researchers from LMICs have access to open access publishing and quality literature.

2. Promote multilingual content to broaden inclusivity and accessibility.

3. Mentor and train to build research capacity and competitiveness.

4. Encourage editors and Boards to lead DEI change within their journals and institutions.

A collective call to action

The panel discussion highlighted the critical need for patience, partnership, and a multifaceted approach to creating an inclusive research world. The personal stories and practical insights underscored the transformative power of collaboration and the collective effort required to bridge the research access gap.

By working together, Research4Life stakeholders can ensure that researchers in LMICs have the tools, resources and opportunities they need to contribute to and benefit from the global body of knowledge, making a significant impact on the Sustainable Development Goals and beyond.