How scientists can avoid power imbalances when collaborating across global divides

Study co-authors Dr Julian Stirling and Eng Valerian Sanga assemble microscopes for a demonstration in China. Credit: Gathering for Open Science Hardware - Health research projects funded by UK Aid are a great way to bring new tech to the world's most underserved populations, but ethical guidance is needed too. Health research project are a great opportunity to bring innovative technologies to the world's most underserved populations, but funding must be accompanied by appropriate ethical guidance if collaborations are to avoid power imbalances and build long-term community engagement. This is the finding of a new study, published this month in Developing World Bioethics . It follows on from a project that saw researchers from the University of Bath develop a cost-effective, 3D-printed, laboratory-grade microscope intended for use in lowerand middle-income countries (LMICs). The precision microscope was designed to diagnose malaria (among other things) and The objective was for the fully automated microscope to be both manufactured and maintained in Tanzania. Tanzania is among the 10 countries with the highest malaria cases and deaths, with 93% of the population living in malaria transmission areas.