‘Matata effect’ denounces lack of valorisation of scientific results from authors from developing countries in international publications

An article entitled "Academic capacity building: holding up a mirror" by Tom Van der Stocken, Jean Hugé, Evelien Deboelpaep, Maarten P. M. Vanhove, Luc Janssens de Bisthoven, and Nico Koedam has recently been published in the journal Scientometrics.

Two CEBioS members (Luc Janssens de Bisthoven and Maarten Vanhove) contributed to this article.

Abstract: "Based on our involvement in numerous consortia and projects with colleagues from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), as well as on our extensive fieldwork experience in the global South, we have a shared concern on the actual inclusion of LMIC colleagues and institutions in coproducing highly valuable and policy-relevant science. While capacity building is stated as a major goal in various international research projects, especially when involving partners from LMICs or when focusing on research activities in these countries, we think that research from established groups and universities particularly in member countries of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), receives more interest and respect on a disproportionate basis. With the present submission, we hope to feed the debate on the academic valorization of research performed by LMICs scholars. Though difficult to measure, this merits close scrutiny."

Full article accessible here