# Decolonizing global health: From colonial structures to transformative action

In this thought-provoking podcast, our hosts analyze nine cutting-edge papers on decolonizing global health, featured in a peer knowledge course developed by The Geneva Learning Foundation and led by Dr. Luchuo E. Bain. Through accessible conversation, they unpack complex theoretical concepts and practical implications for transforming global health.

## What you will discover:

- The distinction between historical colonialism and ongoing coloniality in global health, drawing on Naidu's (2024) analysis of epistemic disobedience and Krugman's (2023) exploration of colonial power structures
- Eye-opening survey data from Finkel et al. (2022) revealing significant disparities in research partnerships—with 60% of researchers from low and middle-income countries reporting they are not viewed as equal partners
- How funding mechanisms, authorship practices, and language barriers perpetuate colonial dynamics, as detailed in Pai et al. (2024) and Forsberg & Sundewall (2023)
- Kwete et al.'s (2022) application of Nkrumah's concept of neocolonialism to global health research, explaining how resources and control continue to flow northward
- Practical recommendations from McCoy et al. (2024) and Hussain et al. (2023) for dismantling colonial structures in research partnerships
- The Nature Reviews Bioengineering editorial's (2024) argument that engineers and technologists must prioritize equitable relationships alongside technical innovation

The hosts skillfully connect theoretical frameworks with real-world implications, from "epistemic violence" that devalues local knowledge to "epistemic disobedience" as a path toward transformation. They explore how seemingly collaborative partnerships often mask persistent power imbalances in resource allocation, decision-making authority, and knowledge production.

The conversation moves beyond critique to constructive pathways forward, including direct funding to Global South institutions, diversifying editorial boards, changing promotion criteria, and embracing diverse research methodologies and outputs.

Whether you are a researcher, practitioner, funder, or student, this podcast offers crucial insights for anyone committed to creating a more equitable global health landscape. You will come away with both a deeper understanding of colonial structures in global health and practical strategies for contributing to meaningful transformation.

Learn more about The Geneva Learning Foundation's peer knowledge course led by Dr. Luchuo E. Bain and join the critical conversation about what it truly means to decolonize global health.