The power dynamics in education research funding and leadership

• In Event: Highlighted Session: Funding education research in Africa: How equitable and inclusive are the approaches?

Proposal

African countries face huge challenges in funding research. This challenge is not unique as they also face challenges in funding other social sector demands. The implications for low funding for research is inability to define the research agenda as well as inadequate access to relevant and context-specific evidence to inform decisions in the education sector. This low funding is one of many inequities associated with poor outcomes in the education sector in Africa, and raises questions concerning the origin, distribution, and thematic prioritization of funding for education research in Africa. In my submission, I will not only share my practical experiences on working with education researchers from both the north and south, but also illuminate the funding related power dynamics in research production that can potentially enhance or inhibit equity and inclusion in education research production. My submission will also illuminate how the global trends and external funding support directly affect critical aspects of education research in Africa.

Author

• Joyce Malombe, Wellspring Philanthropic Fund