Centres of excellence that adopt international standards of research evaluation may help to build scientific and technological capabilities in a limited number of sites, and in some cases prevent brain drain from the global South. However, they often contribute to 'internal brain drain’ and fail to deliver relevant innovations that respond to local problems. Rather, we see a role for networked institutions that link research programmes with specific, locally-articulated goals, and confront - rather than bury - the real inequalities of knowledge, power and money that divide people and disciplines.
We welcome examples of innovation for development.
Email us at steps-centre@ids.ac.uk