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

Abstract

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.