(The views expressed in this article are this of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Al-Fanar Media)
I have been a scientist for 25 years or as long as I can remember. Being a scientist means seeing what everyone sees but thinking what no one has thought. But isn’t that a deeply human trait the very curiosity that has allowed us to survive?
Like all science, innovative research begins with asking the right question — one that is original and leads to discovery. research ought also to be impactful, locally driven, and shaped by unique observations that not only benefit local communities but also contribute globally. This leads to diversity.
To conduct state-of-the-art research, expertise is required. Building a team of experts is therefore essential, but this expertise may or may not exist within one’s own country.
Given that the global north has a disproportionate amount of money and labs and resources, due to the history of extractivist colonialism, scientists in the global south often develop collaborations with global north partners.
