Chapter 3: Developmental Science in the Global South: Shared Realities and Challenges

This chapter discusses the structural inequalities in global knowledge production in mainstream development science in relation to the understanding of local realities in the cultural communities of the Global South. Starting from the recognition of the great diversity of human experience in these cultural communities, it discusses some of the common challenges that need to be considered for a sensitive, relevant and ethical scientific practice, including the colonial past, migration, multiculturalism and Global North interventionism. The chapter makes the case for the importance of continuous reflection on the development of local perspectives in scientific practice, in order to improve existing theoretical and methodological frameworks and to develop new ones that contribute to changing the narrative of how the realities of the Global South are seen and studied. In this regard, an invitation is also extended to the scientific community to act as critical voices in the practice of development science around the world.