Addressing exploitation and inequities in open science: A relational perspective

Area of Science:

• Social Sciences
• Philosophy of Science
• Research Ethics

Background:

• Concerns exist regarding exploitation in open science, particularly for researchers in low-income countries and under-resourced institutions.
• Existing frameworks may not adequately address power imbalances in global research collaborations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To defend the thesis that open science can be equitable.
• To demonstrate how African philosophical concepts can mitigate exploitation in open science.
• To explore the role of communal relationships, human dignity, and social justice in research sharing.

Main Methods:

• Philosophical analysis of African ethical traditions.
• Examination of principles of communalism, dignity, and social justice.
• Application of these principles to open science practices and resource sharing.

Main Results:

• African philosophy offers robust normative principles to address exploitation concerns in open science.
• Communal relationships, human dignity, and social justice can guide equitable research partnerships.
• These concepts provide a framework for balancing power asymmetries in global research collaborations.

Conclusions:

• Open science participation does not inherently lead to exploitation.
• African philosophical concepts are valuable tools for fostering equitable open science.
• Further research is needed to develop institutional structures for enhanced equity in open research.