Helicopter Research in the Geosciences

Helicopter research, also called parachute research or neo-colonial research, occurs when research in a country –typically a low or medium income country– is conducted by researchers from outside that country, with no or little involvement of local researchers. The target country thus serves as a location worthy of research, but only to the extent that data, samples or measurements can be obtained there by the foreign researchers. All other aspects of the research process –problem formulation, research design, data analysis, publishing of results– occur abroad.

Helicopter research is problematic because researchers in the target country do not benefit from the research conducted within their country. Instead, the benefits of the research (prestige, career progression, future funding opportunities) all accrue to the foreign researchers – typically from more privileged, better funded, better resourced countries. Helicopter research thus perpetuates historical power imbalances, stifles investment in local academic capacity building, and thereby maintains dependencies on external expertise, facilities and resources.

Here, I present an analysis of published literature to evaluate spatial patterns and temporal trends in the occurrence of helicopter research within the geosciences over the last 50 years, focussing on geology, geomorphology, hydrology and quaternary sciences. Over 19000 papers addressing geoscientific research in developing countries are identified, and their author affiliations extracted to evaluate contributions with and without local authors. The data is then analysed to: (i) identify countries/regions that are less prone or more prone to helicopter research; (ii) assess temporal trends in the prevalence in helicopter research in the geosciences; and (iii) identify changes in the geopolitical characteristics of helicopter research in the geosciences. Although focussing on geosciences in a broad sense, the general findings are thought to transcend disciplines and be equally applicable to other disciplines.