Commissioned by the British Academy, 4Sciences led an 18-month initiative to strengthen understanding of barriers and enablers fostering equitable partnerships in international research. The project responded to the Academy’s commitment to promoting fairness and mutual benefit in global research collaboration.
Between July and November 2024, 4Sciences conceptualised, designed, and delivered a series of regional workshops in Brazil, Kenya, South Africa, Malaysia, and the UK. These workshops brought together researchers, university leaders, funders, and sector networks to explore region-specific challenges and opportunities for equitable collaboration.
Building on insights from the workshops, 4Sciences developed the concept for the 1st Conference on Equitable Partnerships, hosted by the British Academy in February 2025. The event convened over 200 participants from across the five regions for two days of presentations, panels, and interactive sessions. A key outcome was the co-development and endorsement of the Call to Action on Equitable Partnerships (EqPIC), which outlines concrete steps toward more equitable research practices.
To support long-term impact, 4Sciences also supported the design of two funding calls and subsequent review of applications:
- One focused on Research Management Capacity Strengthening (RMCS).
- Another supporting follow-on projects and network formation emerging from the workshop and conference series.
Both funding streams are currently active.
In addition, 4Sciences co-designed a call for tender with the British Academy and supported supplier selection for a commissioned gap analysis report. This report compares UK funder and HEI policies and terms against recommendations from four key guidance documents on equitable partnerships.
Looking ahead, 4Sciences is supporting the design of the 2nd Conference on Equitable Partnerships, scheduled for 3–5 February 2026 in Pretoria, South Africa. Co-hosted by the British Academy, the Royal Society, and the South African National Research Foundation (NRF), the conference will provide a global platform for dialogue, knowledge exchange, and joint action on equitable collaboration.
Findings from the project were presented at SARIMA’s annual conference in September 2025 in Stellenbosch, South Africa.
This initiative was funded by the UK Government’s International Science Partnerships Fund (ISPF), managed by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT).