Evidence on Increasing Global South Participation in Development Economics

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Evidence on the Participation of the Global South in Development Economics Research and Policy Activities

When local researchers participate in economic development policy discussions—whether locally, regionally, or globally—they can bring a deeper understanding of the social, political, and economic context of their countries, compared to outside experts.

However, experts based in the Global North (particularly North America and Western Europe) have historically led many, if not most, global, regional, and even national development policy debates that focus on countries in the Global South (broadly, Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean). While there is increasing recognition of the importance of diversity and lived experience, it is not yet clear that this recognition has led to changes in the field of development research.

Screenshot of webinar with presentation and seven speakers

Since 2020, a group of PEP Research Fellows has led a series of studies to amass rigorous evidence concerning the participation of researchers from the Global South in development research and policy activities.

Blog articles

Southern Participation in Research on Development Economics

Findings from four initial studies on Southern participation in economic development research were published in Applied Economics Letters:

The authors show how researchers from the Global North conduct the bulk of research on development and development policies in the South. This is true for journal publications, citations, and conference presentations. 

Nearly three-quarters (73%) of the articles published in the top 20 development journals (1990-2019) were by Northern researchers. Not only are Southern researchers published less frequently, but per article, they are also cited less frequently. Similarly, only around 10% of presenters at the top five development conferences were affiliated with universities in developing countries.

Critically, the authors found no evidence of improvement in Southern representation over time.

The findings of the first round of studies inspired PEP’s Call to Action for greater participation of Southern Researchers in economic development research debates, supported by more than 80 leading economists from around the world. We invite you to support this initiative by adding your name and sharing it with your networks.

These findings were presented and discussed in a session on how to “Increase the Southern Voice in Development Debates” at the Evidence for Development: What Works Summit 2021 (right). The authors also shared their findings in two blog articles:

Here is a complete list of PEP studies on Southern Participation in Research in Development Economics
Journal Publications
Conferences
North-South collaborations
Funding for local researchers

This study looks in detail at the supply and demand for economic research in a specific country, Benin, to contrast the roles of local and foreign researchers and research funders.

Very little is currently known concerning funding for Southern researchers. PEP Research Fellow studies below suggest that, while Southern researchers are frequently commissioned, the budgets for their work are limited. Lack of funding for local researchers significantly limits their ability to inform and influence policy discussions and the implementation of development interventions. 

This subject is further explored in the studies below

 Southern Participation in Policy Debates in Development Economics

The problem of underrepresentation of the Global South in development research is not limited to Southern researchers seeking to advance their academic careers. It hinders development policy efforts and perpetuates global inequalities.  

Since local experts generally have a better understanding of their local (socioeconomic, legal, and cultural) context, when they participate in policy research, the recommendations are likely to improve the welfare of those targeted by the policy.

PEP Research Fellows investigating Southern participation in policy debates (below) found that local researchers do participate in local government-produced research. Yet, qualitative evidence indicates that they are often politically aligned with the party in power or other special-interest groups, potentially reducing the quality and integrity of their participation.

In the international arena, Southern researchers are marginalized. Less than 1% of authors of World Bank (1978-2020) and only 12% of authors of UNDP (1990-2020) flagship reports reside in a developing country.

This issue is further explored in:

Related pages

  • Call to Action for greater participation of Southern Researchers in economic development research
  • Promoting local leadership of economic development research: obstacles, solutions, and PEP's impact so far
  • Blogs on localisation
  • Further reading on Southern Participation in Economic Development Research, Policy, and Consulting
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