The scientific system in the Global South in an emerging multipolar world

ABSTRACT

The article analyses the changes and trends in the scientific systems of countries and regions in the Global South shifting the focus away from the BRICS countries. The research is underpinned by the critical scholarship on the globalisation, internationalisation and regionalisation of science and higher education. The empirical analysis is positioned within the broader changes in the international system characterised by multipolarity. The article first aims to map and identify trends, processes and discourses characterising science in the Global South. Second, it aims to investigate and analyse challenges, changes and developments in the scientific system of countries and regions in the Global South by focusing on publications and regional/international collaborations. While knowledge-based theories and discourses are informing science development and changes in countries in the Global South in line with global trends, this is not only done to sustain and increase economic competitiveness. Countries are seeking to reposition themselves in a changing international system by increasing their scientific and technological sovereignty through strategic publications and regional collaborations.

KEYWORDS:

• Science
• globalisation
• knowledge societies
• multipolarity
• regionalisation
• Global South

Acknowledgements

This research was conducted in the framework of a postdoctoral fellowship on the scientific system in emerging economies based at the Scuola Normale Superiore, Firenze, Italy.

Disclosure statement

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

Notes

1 https://www.nature.com/nature-index/country-outputs/Cameroon, Accessed January 24, 2023.

2 https://www.nature.com/nature-index/country-outputs/Ecuador, Accessed January 24, 2023.

3 https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/mexico-aerospace, Accessed January 24, 2023.

4 The Querétaro Aerospace Cluster is a successful case in point in Mexico’s recent developmental approach to science. The government has played a key role to its success by supporting innovation through public policies, subsidies and infrastructure development.

5 Financial stability remains a challenge for the majority of the 844 African start-ups and technological hubs, which rely on funding sources from development partners and international donors. Nigeria has 101 tech hubs and 80% of their investment comes from offshore sources.

6 https://www.nature.com/nature-index/country-outputs/Cameroon, Accessed January 24, 2023.

7 https://www.nature.com/nature-index/country-outputs/Ecuador, Accessed January 24, 2023.

8 Chile was the first to enter the pool followed by Argentina, Belize, Brazil, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru and Uruguay.

9 https://sgciafrica.org/ Accessed January 22, 2023.