Global Hierarchies in Science: An Examination of USAID’s Partnerships for Enhanced Engagement in Research Program

Abstract

The aim of this study is to explore the relationship between donor agency funded research partnerships and global hierarchies in science. The study utilizes a mixed methods approach collecting both interview and bibliometric data associated with USAID’s Partnerships for Enhanced Engagement in Research program. The study employs three conceptual frameworks, mutuality, scientific technical human capacity, and the geo-scientific imaginary, to explain how researchers and the countries they represent are positioned in partnerships, the extent to which researchers perceive capacity development through partnerships, and whether partnerships reinforce or challenge existing global hierarchies in science. When analyzing data at the partnership-level, the findings suggest that partnership structures that position low-and-middle income country researchers in leadership positions support positive interactions between researchers, which help to address traditional power imbalances and support the achievement of partnership goals. However, such partnership structures may fail to adequately incentivize participation by high-income country researchers and negatively impact the efficacy of partnerships. On the other hand, when analyzing data in relation to global hierarchies in science, the findings demonstrate how researchers’ roles and responsibilities within partnerships and partnership outcomes were partly shaped by the hierarchical nature of global science and perceptions of differences in scientific capabilities between researchers. Lastly, the findings indicate that partnerships generally reinforced the US’ dominant position in global science as opposed to challenging it.