A social justice analysis of an African open science initiative

The case study presented in this paper can be argued to embody the representation of two dominant discourses that frame the persistent problem of lack of African research visibility in global knowledge systems. The first proceeds from a deficit perspective, suggesting endemic dysfunctions within in-country research systems, while the second recognizes potential systemic injustices, which are deemed to create unequal opportunities for knowledge production and dissemination for African scholars. Four selected interventions from the case study are analyzed using a social justice framework, developed in the paper, that synthesizes these two critical perspectives. It was found that all but one of the interventions emanate from a country deficit discourse and that the actions taken tend mainly to ameliorate, not challenge this perspective. The paper concludes by demonstrating through the social justice lens why the African research visibility issue continues to persist and hints that counter narratives initiated by the case study could offer an alternative outcome.