Tea Time with AuthorAID: Spotting and Combatting Helicopter Research

Tea time with AuthorAID is a monthly community event, where scholars from all over the world join (with their favourite variety of tea/drink), engage in informal conversation, extend their network and explore collaboration opportunities. Unlike a typical webinar, it thrives on informal and immersive discussions between participants and the host, as well as among participants themselves. In this session, especially targeted for early career researchers, we will be hosting an interactive networking session on the theme 'Spotting and Combating Helicopter Research'.

This session will explore the pervasive issue of “helicopter research”, where external researchers—often from well-resourced institutions in developed countries—conduct research in developing regions, only to return with the data for external analysis and publication. This practice marginalises local researchers and communities, and leaves behind little value beyond short-term compensation. Although much of the conversation around helicopter research has centred on the natural and biological sciences, in this session, we will consider its equally damaging presence in the social sciences, particularly in development research. We will also discuss the problematic aspects of helicopter research, including its frequent disregard for local context and its tendency to prioritise external recognition over sustainable local contributions. We will draw on recent studies and practical experience to explore ways to promote more equitable, responsible and context-sensitive research collaborations. We will also reflect on how to ensure that local expertise plays a meaningful role in shaping research design and outcomes.

The host of the event is Abiodun Egbetokun.

Bio of the host:

Abiodun Egbetokun is currently affiliated with the Institute of Responsible Business and Social Justice at De Montfort University, UK. His current research focuses broadly on the process of economic development and how it is shaped by several factors, including innovation, entrepreneurship and new technologies. He has led several impactful projects, including Nigeria’s first social science research mapping and the evaluation of major entrepreneurship education and youth employment interventions. Abiodun interacts regularly with international and third-sector organisations including UNIDO, GIZ, i4Policy and the African Union Commission. He mentors early-career researchers through AuthorAID and the Development Studies Association. He is an advocate of using open data as a pathway to overcoming helicopter research.