Paper short abstract:

This paper examines the positionality of a minority researcher, exploring power dynamics between INGOs and local NGOs in Sri Lanka. It highlights the impact of intersecting identities , integrating reflexivity and epistemic justice to challenge power structures in Global South development.

Paper long abstract:

This paper critically examines the positionality of a minority Global South researcher exploring the power dynamics between International Non-Governmental Organisations (INGOs) and local NGOs in post-conflict Sri Lanka. Growing up in Sri Lanka during the civil war and later migrating to the UK amidst economic recession and political instability, I have lived a life of oppression, shaped by displacement, cultural norms, and gendered expectations. These intersecting identities influence my research approach, the way I engage with participants, and my interpretation of data.

As a first-year PhD student with over five years of hands-on experience in the NGO sector, I critically analyse the structural power imbalances between INGOs and local NGOs, blending insider knowledge with academic frameworks. Central to my research is how my ethnic, gendered, and historical identities inform the research process. My lived experiences of marginalisation complicate my ability to challenge power structures, making me hyper-aware of my positionality and its impact on the production of knowledge. This is particularly significant in understanding the historical mistrust between INGOs and local NGOs, shaped by nationalistic critiques and concerns over exploitation.

By adopting an epistemic justice framework, my research advocates for the recognition of local knowledge, often overlooked in Global North-dominated development frameworks. I aim to decolonise knowledge systems by amplifying the voices of the marginalised and challenging traditional power hierarchies. My work aspires to contribute to more inclusive, contextually relevant, and decolonised approaches to development that respect the rich heritage of local knowledge and experiences.