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Creating an inclusive forum for discussion on energy and development research.

Energy and development are intrinsically multi-facetted challenges and there is clear evidence that inclusive, interdisciplinary research is needed to in order to deliver a just transition, and to avoid unintended negative consequences of well-meaning efforts. 

While much research is collaborative between research institutions in the global North and the global South, and many involve a space for reflections on the strengths and weaknesses of the projects, there is a missing dimension to these discussions: An open conversation is needed on how we can better achieve this diversity in a situation where there is uneven funding and access to resources, and differing research priorities. To address this, this project will be embedded within the Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê-based Energy and Development Group (EDG).

The project aimed to: 

1.Create an inclusive forum for open discussion between researchers in the global South and global North, examining experiences of collaborations in energy and development research, including when it works best and how they should be improved.
2. Co-create recommendations for improving collaborations, including how to overcome any structural barriers, targeted to researchers and funders.
3. Establish a network of researchers that will develop a strategy for improved South-North collaborations. This will build on the work of initiatives such as the LCEDN, fully centering the voices and views of global South researchers in this conversation. 

An interactive map showed some of the responses from survey participants; their country of residence; main countries of study and comments on the positive and negative aspects of the South-North collaborations. The responses highlighted that many of the challenges and opportunities for improvement in South North collaboration in Energy and Development research. 

Two workshops were held to provide an open conversation on how to better achieve more collaborations in a situation where there is uneven funding and access to resources, and differing research priorities. The workshops will form a set of recommendations for key actors. 

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