From Cairo to Rabat: RE-KnoX Mission to amplify and empower Global South researchers

Author: Dr Fadoua Govaerts, University of Bath, UK

In a world where social injustices are highlighted in academia, it is essential to acknowledge that these injustices not only exist within, but also thrive and reproduce within academic environments. In the midst of this, the voices of Global South researchers often go unheard, their work overshadowed by the privileges and opportunities afforded to their counterparts in the Global North. The academic landscape reveals a stark imbalance: funding, access to publication, and institutional support disproportionately benefit researchers from high-income regions. In an ideal world, these disparities would dissolve, and a truly inclusive research community would thrive—one without boundaries, where dissemination support is universal, and researchers are valued equally, irrespective of geographic origin. This vision is what inspired the creation of RE-KnoX, a platform born out of a commitment to equity and a sense of duty to bridge this gap.

As a second-generation immigrant with a mixed background and close ties to the MENA region, at a young age I quickly became aware of how growing up in the Global North afforded me privileges on multiple fronts. Now as an academic, my position as both an outsider (residing in the Global North) and insider (with a deep cultural and linguistic connection to the Global South) has shaped my academic path in unique ways. This dual perspective granted me insights into the cultural nuances and lived realities of the Global South, while also allowing me access to the academic resources and networks more easily available in the Global North. 

Through my teaching, reading, and participation in lectures, seminars and conferences and joining various initiatives such as the decolonisation collective, I was pleased to see the much-needed work on EDI and decolonisation. I discovered longstanding remarkable contributions to indigenous studies and decolonial theories. Although this work was amazing and very much needed, I still saw a massive gap in the implementation of this work in practice. Too many times did I witness approaches where decolonising curriculum was through simply adding some articles from ethnically diverse authors, treating it similar to a tick box exercise. I engaged in conversations with colleagues from the MENA region to explore this further and get insight into their perspective. I wondered: why was their research not visible? Why was it not valued? What barriers were they facing? Their perspectives revealed a range of challenges, including cultural differences within MENA academia, lack of funding, insufficient support for publication, and even uncertainty about how to write an abstract. It was from this dialogue that RE-KnoX was born, aiming to address these disparities and amplify marginalised voices in academia.

Inspired and drawn by Freire’s work on critical pedagogy and the empowerment of marginalised voices, I felt motivated to emphasise the importance of dialogue, critical reflection, and understanding of the lived experiences of oppressed communities in the pursuit of education and social justice within academia. I was eager to see initiatives beyond the decolonisation as a metaphor. There was a need for genuine knowledge exchange between Global North and South researchers, and an exchange between Global South policy makers and practitioners. This triangulation of dissemination is what drove this initiative and attracted my peers and colleagues who shared the same vision and interests and stood behind this initiative to make our inaugural conference in Cairo in 2022 a reality. A first conference will always come with challenges, but my initial romanticised expectations clouded my understanding of the journey ahead. I quickly realised the significant cultural differences in working ethics, language, and processes. Throughout this experience, I often questioned the impact and value of our team’s hard work. What I didn’t realise is the implications after the conference. 

The line-up of key speakers and presenters varied from professors, head of departments, and PhD candidates. The relationships that transpired during the conference and emergence after, experience enriched the attendees’ perception of how academics relate to one another despite the stage of their careers. This spirit of collaboration and building of relationships led to numerous articles being written in Arabic, with invaluable assistance from the RE-KnoX team for translation and peer review and eventual payment for publications. More than just academic networking, the conference fostered lifelong friendships that extended beyond professional interests. We have had research grants, multiple publications and collaborative outputs since the first conference, some which will be presented in our upcoming conference. 

As we prepare for the second RE-KnoX conference in Rabat in 2025, I’m excited to share our journey in decolonising educational research. While challenges persist—such as funding constraints and the ongoing culture of unpaid academic labour—we remain committed to fostering an environment where all contributions are valued. I envision a future where efforts within RE-KnoX are fairly compensated, honouring everyone’s time and expertise. By creating RE-KnoX, we’re actively dismantling barriers that marginalise Global South perspectives, embodying education as a tool for liberation and change. We are now seeking a third host in another MENA country for 2026-2027 and are open to further invitations to expand these dialogues globally.

To find out more, visit RE-KnoX.
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