Decolonising implementation science: a call for methodological pluralism
In this Viewpoint, we argue that the project to decolonise implementation science is an important and much needed endeavour, but should move beyond a focus on equity to a more disruptive decolonial approach that interrogates the field's methodological and epistemological foundations. Methodological pluralism in implementation science-one that integrates diverse ways of knowing-is not only more just, but also more effective and scientifically robust. Achieving this requires uncomfortable confrontation with the colonial architecture of academic research and accepted ways of knowing.
Authors
- Mitzy Gafos (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7894-1498)
- Ruth Ponsford (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2612-0249)
- Meghna Ranganathan (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5827-343X)
- Sali Hafez (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1051-1819)
- Agata Pacho (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0653-5095)
- Seyi Soremekun
Institutions
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (GB)
Publication Details
- Journal
- The Lancet Global Health
- Published
- 2026-01-07
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1016/s2214-109x(25)00477-2
- Citations
- 1
- Primary Topic
- Participatory Visual Research Methods
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 55.57