Coping behaviour of low-income country researchers in global health collaborations with high-income country researchers

Abstract

In this study, I investigated conditions of structural inequality that biomedical researchers based in low-income countries currently experience across key stages of collaboration with researchers based in high-income countries and the extent to which these conditions determine specific individual behavioural responses. Structural inequalities in research collaborations between researchers based in high-income countries and those based in low-income countries have historically been shown to disadvantage low-income country researchers. Little is known about the extent to which attempts made over the last 30 years to redress these inequalities have changed collaborative research conditions, and whether such changes are associated with specific individual behavioural responses that could improve collaboration outcomes for low-income country researchers. I used responses from a survey of 532 low-income country-based researchers to describe their current experiences of conditions of inequality in their collaborations with high-income country researchers. Through factor analysis and structural equation modelling I tested hypothesised relationships between these conditions and individual behavioural responses measured using a model from the acculturation literature. I utilised brief qualitative responses from the survey to inform policy recommendations. More nuanced structural inequalities still affect low-income country researchers, especially at the conclusion stage of collaboration with high-income country researchers. Addressing inequalities and securing research benefits at community level (named research citizenship outcomes) is a more significant predictor of low-income country researchers’ likelihood of integration into these collaborations than individual, group and task-level outcomes, but maximising their final individual outcomes of research (publication and dissemination opportunities) leads to a stronger commitment to future collaboration. I recommend a focus on securing research citizenship outcomes in order to maximise their integration into collaborative research groups. I also recommend greater transparency and inclusivity particularly in assignment of collaboration roles; more institutionalisation of mentorship for junior researchers; and implementation of self-initiated policies to boost collective benefits from regional research resources. The study extends acculturation theory to a context where achieving community-level benefits predicts non-dominant individuals’ integration into a dominant in-group. Future research could investigate parallel views of other stakeholders such as high-income country collaborators, funders and regulators and consider contextual differences across collaborations over a longer time frame.