Contributions of scientific research to regional development in the Amazonas region, northern Peru

ABSTRACT

The relevance of scientific research to local challenges and the need to produce actionable knowledge that benefits local development have not been evaluated. This study evaluates whether scientific research focused on the Amazonas region is framed within its five regional components of the Concerted Regional Development Plan (CRDP) to achieve sustainable development. In this study, 386 scientific articles published during 1960–2021 focusing on the Amazonas region were evaluated. Although Amazonas is the third poorest region in Peru, scientific production in this region has largely increased (CAGR_2001-2021 = 16.4%). However, women and indigenous authors are underrepresented suggesting a unilateral knowledge transfer. The highest scientific contribution was reported for component 1 of the CRDP (58%), centering on topics about the conservation of biodiversity and ecosystem services. Scientific research focusing on the Amazonas region fails to fully aboard the overall sustainable components of the CRDP. Social sciences are clearly understudied. It is the role of regional institutions (government, universities, industry, non-profit, etc.) to ensure the extension of research topics covering other dimensions of scientific knowledge and social needs. Conclusively, it is pending that local policymakers take into consideration emerging disciplines that can provide an updated perspective in developmental policies in the Amazonas region.

KEYWORDS:

• Development plan
• Peru
• public policy
• research
• scientific contribution
• university

Acknowledgements

We are most grateful to Stefhany Valdeiglesias Ichillumpa and Ananco Ahuananchi Oswaldo for their translations to Quechua and Awajun languages, respectively. Additionally, authors would like to thank Elizabeth Gill from University of New Hampshire for language editing/polishing.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This research was partially funded by INDES-CES/UNTRM through the Public Investment Project CUI N° 2314875, namely, ‘Creación de los servicios del Centro de Investigación en Climatología y Energías Alternativas de la UNTRM (PROCICEA)’. This research was also partially funded by PNIPA through the project number N° 259-2018-PNIPA-Subproyectos.