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‘West is must, the rest is optional’: epistemic injustice and positional good in international research collaboration

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Abstract

The global research system is pluralising as more researchers and institutions around the world contribute to knowledge creation. However, global research remains highly unequal because of the hegemonic influence yielded by Global North/West. The unequal dynamics impact the dynamics of international research collaboration (IRC). Through in-depth qualitative interviews, this study investigates the dynamics of epistemic injustice, positional good and hegemony in IRC. The data are collected from the Turkish higher education system because its unique position at the Global North/West and South/East borders can make the distinctions and inequalities more visible. Findings indicate that Fricker’s (2007) epistemic injustice and Hirsch’s (1976) positional competition are crucial factors in creating or reinforcing hegemony in IRC. A strong value is attached to collaborating with Global Northern/Western scholars or institutions. IRC with the West seems to procure a higher epistemic value. The higher epistemic value increases positional competition to collaborate with those in the Global North/West. Also, funding obtained from the Global North/West is seen as more credible and valuable, reinforcing the main argument for the higher epistemic value and positional good ascribed to IRC with the Global West/North.

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Notes

  1. The halo effect is a cognitive bias of overgeneralising previous judgements. It is about positive thinking of someone or entity as a whole, based on an earlier judgement of one of a particular feature (Dictionary of Cambridge, 2023).

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Funding

This work was supported by Lingnan Faculty Research Grant [grant number 103407]. Yusuf Ikbal Oldac is a Hong Kong Research Grants Council Postdoctoral Fellow, funded by the University Grants Committee of Hong Kong.

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  1. School of Graduate Studies, Lingnan University, Hong Kong SAR, China

    Yusuf Ikbal Oldac & Jacob Oppong Nkansah

  2. Faculty of Education, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China

    Lili Yang

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Oldac, Y.I., Nkansah, J.O. & Yang, L. ‘West is must, the rest is optional’: epistemic injustice and positional good in international research collaboration. High Educ 88, 505–522 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10734-023-01127-4

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