Abstract:

Transnational knowledge cooperation is fraught with asymmetries. A process that goes beyond ‘just’ capacity development that acknowledges and deliberately dismantles existing systematic biases is needed. The interactive round table discusses how to overcome the asymmetries and suggests (cooperation) formats to foster an equal space for knowledge production.

Humankind shares existential challenges that are addressed in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which also need to be tackled by joint research efforts. Knowledge co-production rests on global and transnational cooperation and is set in particular local contexts. After all, knowledge production is situational, influenced by the pre-existing knowledge and insights of those involved, including frameworks conceived outside their application area. Attempts to address these aspects are often covered with ‘capacity development, which can be seen as another well-intentioned approach that often translates a paternalistic attitude. On the global scale, the dominance of knowledge produced in the global North heavily impacts knowledge production in the global South. In particular, funding and research agenda setting often sits outside of Africa. Transnational cooperation is thus fraught with asymmetries and therefore requires the establishment of processes, which - as the first step - acknowledge existing systematic and structural biases.

This interactive panel will discuss collaborative formats, specifically German engagements with African counterparts (and vice versa), exploring how researchers deal with power asymmetries between themselves and critical strategies to overcome these. Which collaborative formats foster the creation of an equal space for knowledge production?

The panel is convened as a fishbowl discussion. The unoccupied seat represents the open space needed to foster equal knowledge cooperation and invites active contribution from the audience.