In 2021, three researchers came together to reflect on how psychological scientists from developing nations conducted research in academic infrastructure different from the Global North.
We hosted an un-conference at PSACON21, proposing a consortium of researchers from developing nations. While existing networks such as the Psychological Science Accelerator & ManyLabs have provided evidence regarding the collaborative research in non-WEIRD populations, that does not solve a greater challenge of inclusion. Psychological scientists and researchers from academically peripheral countries (predominantly in developing nations) face unique challenges pertaining to systemic structures, funding challenges, differences in the zeitgeist of psychological research, and pace of scientific advancement that may be different from scientists from academically strong countries. (Silan et al., 2021). A consortium of psychological scientists and researchers from developing nations would provide an opportunity to build mutually beneficial networks that could accelerate the pace of scientific advancement (with accelerated pipelines for conducting and disseminating scientific research) for such academics.
The un-conference at PSACON21 gave us the opportunity to get in touch with like-minded researchers from across the globe. Soon, a working group came together to devise early mission statements of what would eventually become – ABRIR.
Jan 2021, we won The Society for the Improvement of Psychological Science’s Grants-In-Aid to Reduce Barriers to Improving Psychological Science. We extend our gratitude to a whole host of researchers who came together to extend their expertise: Hans Ijzerman, Miguel Silan, Christopher Chartier, Alma Jeftic, Nadia Corral-Frias, Neha Parashar, Natalia Dutra & Aishwarya Iyer.
This grant will be used towards our upcoming workshop series titled, Increased Representation: A Vision for Inclusive Big Team Science.
Our lofty goal: to reach 75-100 researchers from low-to-middle income countries to bridge the knowledge gap on improving participation & leadership in big team/open science organizations.
Check our Events page for more updated information regarding the upcoming workshop series, Increased Representation: A Vision for Inclusive Big Team Science.