Ver 2.0 for Peer-Review - Open and Inclusive - Reimagining Science in the Global South

101 Recommendations Data sharing policies/mandates need to be
as clear and detailed as possible. ‘Open’
03 Open Data needs to be the default norm for data. Data
needs to be made available through openly
Data is a voice of people and accessible platforms with optimal
having an objective data searchability, in a timely manner. It is
collection system can give voice important to ensure that the FAIR principles
to those less powerful people” of data sharing are followed rigorously.
Policymakers need to ensure that
- PROF. BHRAMAR MUKHERJEE³³⁰ registration/payment requirements for
accessing data are removed. Open licences
Policymakers should be used and the licences should
clearly communicate the permitted uses.
Proactive measures from policymakers are
required in all the four countries to increase Any negative list that restricts access to
the availability and (re)use of data, data should be a minimal one. Efforts are also
particularly government data and data from required to ensure transparency in the
any publicly-funded research. This may be preparation of such negative lists. Detailed
done through the enactment of new laws/ rationale needs to be provided for non-
policies/mandates, or by examining the non- publication of any dataset.
working of existing mandates, as is the case
in India where a national data sharing policy It is also essential to eliminate identifying
already exists. ³³¹ particulars in data to protect the privacy
rights of individuals. As we could notice in all
At the minimum, data collected the four countries analysed as part of this
using public money should be study, comprehensive privacy legislations
made publicly available for free by are currently missing in these countries and
default, with the only exception it is necessary to enact sound privacy laws
being for national security that take into consideration the increasing
concerns. And these concerns privacy threats in the digital context. It
should be specified and needs to be emphasised that such laws and
documented and periodically policies need to be evolved through
reviewed. This will enable a sober stakeholder engagement and respect for
assessment of where we actually human rights.
are.”
To incentivise data sharing by researchers,
- PROF. GAUTAM MENON³³² policymakers need to ensure due credits and
recognition for data sharing while
considering appointment applications or
career progress applications in educational/

330 Interview with Prof. Bhramar Mukherjee, John D. Kalbfleisch Collegiate Professor and Chair, Department of
Biostatistics; Professor, Department of Epidemiology, Professor, Global Public Health, University of Michigan (UM) School
of Public Health; Research Professor and Core Faculty Member, Michigan Institute of Data Science (MIDAS), University of
Michigan, USA (1 December 2021)
331 See National Data Sharing and Accessibility Policy, 2012 <https://geoportal.mp.gov.in/geoportal/Content/Policies/
NDSAP_2012.pdf> accessed 16 March 2022
332 Interview wih Prof. Gautam Menon, Professor of Physics and Biology; Director of the Centre for Climate Change and
Sustainability (3CS), Ashoka University, India (25 November 2021)

research institutions. Submission of detailed Recommendations 102
data sharing plans should also be an integral
part of funding applications. Scientific Research
Community
It is also important to highlight that the
broader public interest in access to data While policymakers have an important role in
should be given priority over narrow fostering open data, a lot also depends on
commercial interests, in cases of conflict. how the scientific research community
This also means that even privately-held accepts the ideals of open data and
data may have to be shared openly under practises open data in the context of their
certain circumstances. For example, the research. Researchers need to embrace
public should have the right to access data open data regardless of the existence of
on adverse effects of a medicine or vaccine. mandates from their institution/funding
As discussed earlier in the context of agency. This requires more awareness
Covid19-related data sharing, interlinking of creation among the research community on
datasets and databases, without the need and benefits of open data. Peer-
compromising privacy rights of individuals, is groups have an important role to play in this
also important for more optimal uses of data. regard, as our empirical findings suggest
that most researchers are unaware of the
“The testing, vaccination and diverse benefits of openly sharing data.
genomic surveillance databases Appropriate data citation approaches also
need to cross-talk for us to have to be used by the research community
immediately say that this is a while (re)using any data. Giving due credit
breakthrough infection. We can and recognition can play a substantial role in
then link it with prioritisation for ensuring better and sustainable data
genomic sequencing because we sharing.
need to know if it is through a new
variant. So, things have to be set-
up with that vision.”

- PROF. BHRAMAR MUKHERJEE³³³

Data sharing platforms should also facilitate
options for giving feedback and corrections
on data. The dynamic character of platforms
may ensure better data accuracy and more
(re)uses of data. Concrete steps are also
required for awareness creation on data
sharing policies. Policymakers should also
ensure proper monitoring of open data
policies through periodic reviews as well as
mandatory reporting.

333 Interview with Prof. Bhramar Mukherjee, John D. Kalbfleisch Collegiate Professor and Chair, Department of
Biostatistics; Professor, Department of Epidemiology, Professor, Global Public Health, University of Michigan (UM) School
of Public Health; Research Professor and Core Faculty Member, Michigan Institute of Data Science (MIDAS), University of
Michigan, USA (1 December 2021)

103 Recommendations Scientific Research
Community
04 Open Educational
Resources Teachers and researchers should try to
engage in creation of OER regardless of
Policymakers specific mandates from the institution. Peer
support, particularly in the form of critical
As discussed in Chapter 3, while there has review of contents, can contribute
been substantial increase in the creation and substantially to quality improvements in
use of OERs, many challenges limit the OER. Professional societies can also play a
potential uses of OERs in the countries substantial role by creating more awareness
analysed as part of this study. Policymakers on the need for OER.
need to identify the factors that limit optimal
uses of OER within their countries/
institutions, particularly with the help of
more studies among OER creators and OER
users. Policymakers also need to ensure
sufficient funding for creating new OER as
well as updating existing OER. Ensuring
diversity of OER content, both in terms of
linguistic diversity as well as diversity in
theoretical/methodological/pedagogical
approaches, requires more attention from the
side of policymakers. Quality improvement of
OER also needs prioritisation through
periodic reviews. More training may also be
given to teachers on how best to integrate
OER into existing curriculums. OER needs to
be made available and discoverable through
open access repositories, with the help of
accessible formats and appropriate use of
metadata. Eliminating (re)use restrictions in
OER licences and encouraging OER creators
to use a liberal open licence should also be a
priority for policymakers.

05 Open Source Recommendations 104
Software
06 Open Hardware

Policymakers Policymakers

Policymakers need to evolve policies that Policymakers may encourage institutions
promote the use of OSS for all official and/or workplaces to adopt open hardware
purposes, wherever possible. This would not approaches for new and existing systems to
just reduce costs in the long run, but also ensure better dissemination of technologies.
bring in more autonomy. Educational In view of the fact that open hardware is a
institutions must promote the use of OSS for relatively new movement, more awareness
all educational and training purposes. campaigns are also required for all
Policymakers may also evolve policies stakeholders.
wherein more institutions/workplaces are
encouraged to participate in the creation Scientific Research
and development of OSS in diverse domains. Community
Evolving appropriate incentive mechanisms
to ensure that more people take part in the Peer support can motivate more researchers
development, curation and updating of OSS to participate in the open hardware
are also desirable. movement. Peer support can be particularly
helpful in addressing motivational
Scientific Research challenges and technical challenges.
Community

Regardless of any mandates from the
institution/funding agencies, members of
the research community should try to
dedicate at least a part of their time and
efforts to development and/or curation of
OSS. Peer support can also play a major role
in motivating more people to participate in
the OSS movement and for identifying and
addressing technical glitches in software.

105 Recommendations

RECOMMENDATIONS

Open Science Infrastructures

Policymakers subsequently scale up the efforts in other
areas. Transparency mechanisms, including
Drafting, implementation and capacity online listing of facilities and their
building of relevant stakeholders for availability, are important to ensure that
carrying out the mandates under the shared science infrastructure is accessible
policies at the national and/or state levels to the community at large without
for increasing accessibility to physical and discrimination.
virtual resources created with public money
need to be a priority for policymakers. Policy While ‘open’ should be the default norm for
steps are particularly desirable for all publicly-funded infrastructures,
connecting publicly-funded libraries and policymakers may also encourage the
making their pooled resources accessible to private sector to open up their
the public. Currently, the catalogue of works infrastructure for use by the public.
available in many publicly-funded libraries in Appropriate incentive mechanisms, including
these four countries are not accessible to tax concessions, may be considered in this
the public. In some instances, though regard. Creche facilities can be built and
libraries claim to have an Online Public operationalised within open science
Access Catalogue (OPAC), they limit the infrastructures to support women and other
number of resources shown to the public to guardians in science/research. It is also
reduce the chances of external requests for important to take policy measures that can
books/articles. This attitude has to change ensure that the open science
and the public needs to be provided access infrastructures are also accessible to
to the publicly-funded libraries. Policy steps persons with disabilities.
for interlinked libraries and the right to
access publicly-funded library resources Scientific Research
can ensure better utilisation of limited library Community
resources in all the four countries.
Community norms can play an important role
Providing access to cutting-edge
technological tools and lab facilities in in ensuring sustainable use of open science
different parts of the country can also
substantially enrich the research and infrastructure, including efforts to ensure
innovation ecosystem in these countries.
Policymakers need to ensure that access to proper maintenance and careful use of the
such resources is provided to the public in
the easiest possible manner. They can infrastructure. The scientific community can
initiate pilot studies in certain regions
identified based on the current research, also ensure that an active channel of
accessibility and innovation ecosystem, and
communication exists between

policymakers and all relevant stakeholders

within the community to voice their needs

and feedback in an effective manner.

Recommendations 106

RECOMMENDATIONS

Open Engagement with Societal Actors

Research which is a matter of life and death has to be from the community, of
the community and by the community. It has to be owned and controlled by the
communities. We need more community-based participatory research where
communities are involved in every stage of research right from
conceptualisation, designing, implementation, analysis and dissemination. We
need researchers who are trained in not just GCP but also in research ethics.
We need dissemination of data in a way which is inclusive for communities
having diversity of languages, ability and gender, we need research questions
to emerge from the communities.”

- DR AQSA SHAIKH³³⁴

Policymakers

Different societal actors need to be given Policies may also mandate publicly-funded
more opportunities for participating in educational and research institutions to
science and all the four countries we organise ‘open days’ wherein the public can
analysed as part of this study need to take visit those institutions and interact with
diverse legal and policy measures to achieve researchers at the institute. Yet another
this objective. For example, most of the measure that can be taken is to mandate
researchers and institutions now focus universities and research institutions that
solely on online communication methods to doctoral research defences be made open to
disseminate scientific information. In the the public. As part of the public defence,
context of the earlier discussed empirical doctoral candidates may also be required to
findings on digital inclusion, it is quite make a short presentation of their work in
evident that such an approach excludes a a non-technical manner to the public, so
large section of the public from the that each member of the public could learn
opportunities to learn from, and contribute and benefit from their research. More efforts
to, science. Hence offline measures are also can also be made for creating and
needed to promote science. This could maintaining science parks and science
include distribution of printed materials and museums at educational and research
active encouragement of community radio institutions, so that more opportunities for
stations. interaction can be created between the

334 Interview with Dr Aqsa Shaikh, Associate Professor, Department of Community Medicine, Hamdard Institute of
Medical Sciences and Research; Nodal Officer for Covid Vaccination Centre, Hamdard Institute of Medical Sciences
and Research; Trans Rights Activist; Investigator in TransCare Project, and WHO Unity Studies on Covid, India (30
November 2021)

107 Recommendations

public and researchers at those institutions. also important to assess the value and
impact of meaningful public engagements,
Participatory research helps you apart from academic talks/conferences. New
contextualise, particularise and and innovative approaches for career
from that you can produce some progress evaluation need to be identified.
actionable research.”
It is also important to take specific policy
- PROF. RAJESH TANDON³³⁵
measures that can ensure meaningful
Research opportunities can be made more
open to non-mainstream researchers. participation of persons with disabilities in
Supporting citizen science initiatives in
diverse areas like ecological protection, law/ the knowledge creation process. This
policy making, etc. is one of the pathways
for increasing such research opportunities. includes ensuring the availability of
Researchers should also be incentivised to
participate in more collaborative research at supportive mechanisms such as ramps,
national, regional and international levels.
Promoting collaborations with grassroots wheelchairs, elevators, audiobooks, screen-
innovators and traditional knowledge
holders, based on the CARE principles reading software, braille textbooks and
discussed earlier, should be a policy priority.
There should also be active support for flexible leave policies, etc. It is also important
industry-academia collaboration.
to draft and implement a comprehensive
One of the basic requirements for long-term
collaborations is clarity over ownership of IP disability policy in all institutions, including
rights emerging from such collaborations.
Hence, policymakers should also ensure that libraries. It is important to ensure that
institution-level IP policies provide adequate
clarity on IP ownership in collaborative outputs from all publicly-funded research
projects. The government should also ensure
fair and equitable sharing of any economic meet accessibility requirements.
and non-economic benefits arising from
the utilisation of shared knowledge. Policymakers may also provide financial

To promote dissemination of knowledge to support for converting non-accessible
other societal actors, policymakers also
need to force institutions to reassess their works to accessible formats.
current evaluation mechanisms. Replacing
journal-based metrics with more open There should also be active dissemination of
science-focused metrics for assessment/ information in regional languages, as it is
evaluation is an area for priority action. It is vital for greater and broader participation of
all societal actors in the knowledge creation
process. While granting funds, a specific
part of the same could be allocated
towards creating material in regional
languages.

Policymakers also need to promote more

socially relevant studies. Researchers should

be encouraged to identify local challenges

and more funding support should be

provided to conduct socially and regionally

relevant research. They may also be

incentivised through non-monetary

benefits such as awards from the

government or institution.

Active efforts need to be taken to make
science more inclusive across dimensions,

335 Interview with Dr Rajesh Tandon, Co-Chair, UNESCO Chair on Community Based Research and Social Responsibility
in Higher Education, India (22 November 2021)

including gender, caste, and class. Advocacy Recommendations 108
and affirmative actions for marginalised
sections of the society and their needs Scientific Research
should be given priority in all policy Community
discussions on science and research, and
intersectionality of marginalisations should More active and meaningful participation of
form an important part of these discussions.
Targeted scholarships and more flexibility in the community in crowd-sourcing initiatives
work environments can play supportive roles
in this regard. may in turn incentivise the policymakers to

When it comes to the gender gap, actively engage with diverse societal actors.
I think science reflects society.
What women can do as scientists Crowd-funding of socially relevant projects
is a complete reflection of what
women can do in that society.” may help address many vital challenges in

- DR GAGANDEEP KANG³³⁶ society, wherein the Government or

institutions may have failed to make an

effect. Even in the absence of specific

mandates, researchers should try to

communicate their research to non-

academic audiences through simplified and

translated versions of their academic

findings. The research community can also

avoid unnecessary jargon and complex

language in communicating science. This

may make science more accessible for the

broader public. It is also important to

motivate peers to broaden their minds and

delve into community interaction. There

should be mentorship programs and active

networks to guide young researchers

especially from underrepresented

dimensions in science including gender,

caste and class. People coming back from

career breaks or maternity or paternity

leaves should be supported and encouraged

within the community. The culture needs to

be changed internally by the community

members who have been its torchbearers for

years and make it more inclusive for

everyone.

336 Interview with Prof. Gagandeep Kang, FRS, Professor of Microbiology at Wellcome Trust Research Laboratory,
Division of Gastrointestinal Sciences at the Christian Medical College (CMC), Vellore, India (2 November 2021)

109 Recommendations

RECOMMENDATIONS

Dialogues With Other Knowledge Systems

Knowledge resides in everyday life. Science systemises knowledge for wider
use. Young researchers should find a way to learn from society as they learn to
contribute to society.”

- PROF. RAJESH TANDON³³⁷

Policymakers add value to their knowledge,
innovation or practices for
The government should enable greater developing value added products
learning opportunities for the public, for eventual diffusion through
particularly for children, on different commercial or non-commercial
knowledge systems. For example, channels can also help inclusion.
information about the value and diversity of Institutional innovations for
different knowledge systems can be an inclusive development will include
integral part of the school curriculum. interventions in several systems
and domains of society. For
Inclusion can also take place by instance, the pedagogy and
building their capacity to produce curriculum in the educational
what they already know and do; institutions seldom require
or enable them to convert their interaction among the students
innovations and outstanding and the disadvantaged sections of
traditional knowledge either as society. Further, the innovation by
such or by blending /bundling it common people almost never
with knowledge of others, into becomes part of the curriculum or
products marked by them or other textbooks at any level from
enterprises. In addition, linkage primary education to the higher
with modern institutions of R&D to education level. Low self-
receive technologies or products expectations invariably follow.”
developed by the institutions or to
- PROF. ANIL K. GUPTA³³⁸

337 Interview with Dr Rajesh Tandon, Co-Chair, UNESCO Chair on Community Based Research and Social Responsibility
in Higher Education, India (22 November 2021)
338 Founder, Honey Bee Network and Honorary Professor, National Law University, Delhi, India. See Anil K. Gupta,
‘Innovations for the poor by the poor’ (2012) 5 (1/2) Int. J. Technological Learning, Innovation and Development 28, 34

For promoting dialogues with different Recommendations 110
knowledge systems, it is also important to
ensure de-politicisation of science and Scientific Research
science education in the country. Pseudo- Community
scientific claims from any knowledge system
should not be given legitimacy by the Strict compliance with CARE principles
government, as it would eventually destroy should be a priority for all researchers.
public trust in that knowledge system. Researchers in the formal science
ecosystem also need to take steps to ensure
The government may facilitate more that the knowledge they produce is
opportunities for collaboration between accessible for people belonging to other
knowledge holders in different knowledge knowledge systems. This might require
systems to ensure cross-fertilisation of translations of their scholarly outputs into
knowledge. However, it is also important to regional languages and building capacity to
ensure that such collaborations are based communicate knowledge in a manner
on the CARE principles discussed earlier. accessible for people outside the formal
Ensuring fair and equitable sharing of science ecosystem. Providing appropriate
benefits arising out of the use of indigenous credits/authorship to members of the other
knowledge, through appropriate legislative knowledge system also needs more
and policy frameworks should also be a attention.
priority for all the four countries. It is also
important to ensure that such legislations
and policy measures do not impede
legitimate scientific research.

111 Appendix 1 - Methodology and limitations of the study

It is our ability to collaborate and work
together that we have become a successful
species. We have to reflect inwards and help
so that everyone can rise together. I see this
as the future of Asia.There should be a lot of
inter-regional collaborations.

- Prof. Neelika Malavige³³⁹

339 Interview with Prof. Neelika Malavige, Member of WHO Technical Advisory Committee On COVID-19; Professor and
Head, Department of Immunology and Molecular Medicine, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka (2 November
2021)

Appendix 1

Methodology and Limitations of researchers who agreed to extensive online
the Study interviews in spite of their busy schedules,
compensated for this to some extent.
This study uses the mixed methods However, future studies in these four
countries may address this limitation by
approach in research. The qualitative data conducting extensive in-person fieldwork.
Our data collection on digital inclusion also
includes data collected through interviews faced some important challenges including
lack of availability of indices that covered all
with different stakeholders in Bangladesh, the four countries. Details of the challenges
faced in this regard are mentioned in detail
India, Nepal and Sri Lanka. Secondary in Chapter 3.

sources like reports, books, articles, and blog

posts have also provided qualitative data.

Quantitative data includes data on diverse

dimensions of digital inclusion, collected

using the UNU framework. The methodology

adopted as well as the challenges

encountered in this regard are discussed in

detail in Chapter 3. All the data collected in

this regard can be accessed and used

without restrictions from this link.

Quantitative data in the study also includes

data collected through a survey among

educational and research institutions in

Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Sri Lanka. Minor

modifications may have been made for

different countries. The sample

questionnaire may be accessed from this

online link.³⁴⁰

An important limitation of this research is
that we couldn't do in-person fieldwork in
most of the countries studied as part of the
study. Data was primarily collected through
desk research and online interviews. Diverse
factors like the Covid19 pandemic scenario in
all the four countries, high costs involved in
fieldwork, and time limitations contributed
to this. But the wholehearted cooperation
from many stakeholders, particularly

340 PDF version of the questionnaire can be downloaded from <https://bit.ly/OSDISURVEY> accessed 17 March 2022.