How do global health research actors conceptualise inclusion in response to decolonisation calls? A scoping review.

BACKGROUND: There are growing calls to decolonise global health research (GHR). One way actors respond to these calls is through placing greater emphasis on inclusion. However, there is persistent confusion concerning the inclusion forms that address the decolonisation calls in GHR, the way they do, as well as the specific areas that should be targeted (and why) for the inclusion work.

METHODS: This scoping review contributes towards clarifying inclusion forms that respond to the calls to decolonise GHR by reviewing 90 texts using thematic analysis.

RESULTS: The review identified power imbalances as a key target for inclusion in GHR. Power imbalances manifest in five intersecting ways: intersecting gender-based and race-based inequalities, inequitable participation in knowledge production, inequitable GHR partnerships, unfair GHR funding allocation, and a non-diverse GHR publication landscape. There are also five intersecting inclusion forms: transactional inclusion, epistemic inclusivity, democratic inclusion, decentralising inclusion and demographic diversity. These forms address power imbalances at micro, meso and macro levels.

CONCLUSIONS: While progress has been made towards realising a more inclusive GHR, power imbalances will likely persist if (1) power relations in broader society remain unbalanced and (2) other conditions relevant for implementing equitable power relations both in society and GHR remain unexplored. Future studies should prioritise these concerns.