Volume 13, Number 2

Scopus in Focus: Unpacking the Geopolitics of Knowledge Production in COVID-19 Research and its Implications for African Scholarship

  Authors

Dudziro Nhengu, Midlands State University, Zimbabwe

  Abstract

This study undertakes a critical examination of epistemic inequalities and power imbalances in Covid-19 research publication, with a focus on the representation of African scholars and Africa-centered perspectives in Scopus-indexed journals. Through an analysis of published academic literature from 2020 to 2025, this research aims to investigate the demographics of authors from high-income countries (HIC) publishing in Scopus-indexed journals versus those from low-income countries (LIC),. The evidence will be used= to postulate the root causes and depth of these disparities, and their impact on knowledge production. The study employs a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative and qualitative data analysis techniques. A comprehensive search of Scopus-indexed journals will be conducted using specific keywords and filters, including "Covid-19", "Africa", "African countries", and "global health." Author demographics, including region of origin and gender, will be extracted and analyzed using Excel. Additionally, to refine the findings, author profiles will be searched using Scopus' "Author Search" feature, which allows for searching by author name, institution and country. This will enable identification of the origins of the authors, versus the countries in which their work is published, as well as the countries or regions on which their work focus. Thematic analysis will be employed to examine the content and perspectives presented in the abstracts, in order to ascertain the focus of publications in these Scopus-indexed journals. This research is grounded in postcolonial theory, specifically decolonial theory, as well as in subaltern studies, which together provide a framework for understanding the power dynamics and epistemic inequalities that perpetuate the marginalization of African scholars and Africa-centered perspectives. The findings of this study will contribute to the ongoing discussions around decolonizing knowledge production and promoting epistemic diversity. The study highlights the need for more inclusive and Africa-centered knowledge production processes in order to promote a more equitable and representative knowledge production landscape.