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Decolonising the temporal and relational assumptions in contemporary science and science policies

Zhang, Joy Yueyue (2023) Decolonising the temporal and relational assumptions in contemporary science and science policies. Critical Policy Studies, 17 (1). pp. 162-174. ISSN 1946-0171. E-ISSN 1946-018X. (doi:10.1080/19460171.2023.2180402) (KAR id:98844)

Abstract

The concept of decolonization was originally proposed as an epistemic project that focused on anti-hegemonic endeavors to counter power imbalances. However, in recent years, it has become a buzz word across different fields in the Global North, often slipping into a tokenistic exercise. This paper argues that the decolonizing promise of moving beyond power asymmetries and acquiring the ability ‘to think from and with’ others will not be fulfilled unless we take seriously the need for a radical shift in recognizing global others’ epistemic status. Drawing on empirical case studies of China’s and India’s rises in the life sciences and their respective impacts on Anglo-American policy discussions, this paper demonstrates what decolonizing our temporal and spatial (or relational) assumptions of contemporary science could mean in practice. More importantly, it argues that decolonization in the pluriverse of contemporary science should simultaneously be a radical and prudent project. As such, decolonizing is not only a challenge for the Global North but also for the Global South. The decolonization project argued for in this paper is conducive to a fresh ontological attention of critical policy studies and a recalibrated relational focus of governing practices.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1080/19460171.2023.2180402
Uncontrolled keywords: Life sciences; governance; relational turn; pluriverse; decolonization; contemporaneity
Subjects: H Social Sciences
Divisions: Divisions > Division for the Study of Law, Society and Social Justice > School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research
Funders: University of Kent (https://ror.org/00xkeyj56)
Depositing User: Joy Y Zhang
Date Deposited: 07 Dec 2022 07:49 UTC
Last Modified: 05 Nov 2024 13:04 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/98844 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

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