Towards post-colonial capacity-building methodologies - some remarks on the experiences of health researchers from Mozambique and Angola / Em torno de metodologias de capacitação pós-coloniais: algumas notas acerca das experiências de pesquisadores de saúde de Moçambique e Angola

Abstract This paper analyzes capacity building in practice, addressing the expectations, imaginaries and experiences of health researchers from Mozambique and Angola. The empirical data stems from the Erasmus+ funded project "University Development and Innovation - Africa (UDI-A)", a consortium established between European and African institutions to promote the mobility and empowerment of African academics, the establishment of North/South research partnerships and the strengthening of African institutions. Through qualitative research methods - semi-structured interviews and a focus group with African participants, and participant observation - this article analyzes the experiences of African academics working in the health field, their perceptions of capacity building and aspirations during their stay in Portugal in 2018. By addressing some of their concerns and achievements, this paper reflects on the performativity of capacity building methodologies, exploring a wide range of issues that emerge within the framework of North/South partnerships, inquiring whether it would be possible to decolonize capacity-building methodologies.

Resumo Este artigo analisa dispositivos de capacitação na prática, explorando as expetativas, os imaginários e as experiências de pesquisadores de saúde de Moçambique e Angola. Os dados empíricos resultam do projeto "University Development and Innovation - Africa (UDI-A)", financiado pelo programa Erasmus+, um consórcio estabelecido entre instituições europeias e africanas para promover a mobilidade e a capacitação de académicos africanos, o estabelecimento de parcerias de investigação Norte/Sul e o fortalecimento das instituições africanas. Através de metodologias qualitativas - entrevistas semiestruturadas e grupos de discussão com participantes africanos, e observação participante - este artigo analisa as experiências de académicos africanos trabalhando no setor da saúde, as suas perceções da capacitação e as suas ambições durante a estadia em Portugal em 2018. Através da análise das suas preocupações e sucessos, este artigo reflete acerca da performatividade das metodologias de capacitação, explorando um vasto leque de tópicos que emergem no contexto das parcerias Norte/Sul, questionando a possibilidade de uma descolonização das metodologias de capacitação.

Working with, working through: Towards equitable partnerships in health research

Feminist researchers advocate a more equitable relationship between the researcher and the researched. While qualitative researchers generally eschew hierarchical language reflected in phrases such as, "working on research subjects," in favor of phrasing that denotes partnership, as in "working with research participants," it is unclear as to whether these changes in language have been effectively translated into changes in working relationships. In this paper, I examine how feminist research and researchers illuminate the benefits of developing more equitable partnerships in health research. I suggest that although the challenges are plentiful, our efforts to work through them collectively, enables us to produce better and more meaningful health research.