When you’re aiming for a Ph.D. in academics, you don’t want to settle for “just any” school or major. You want the one that’s going to make the biggest impact on your knowledge and your future career, and you don’t want to sign on for years at an institution that could end up being unnecessarily complex. This is particularly true in generalized fields such as social sciences, where the positionality of the researcher often influences the academic subjects chosen.

On top of the already difficult challenges that you’ll face on your journey to becoming an expert in your subject, another variable you may be dealing with is your location and its impact on your positionality. It’s possible that the institution you selected was because of your home country, and that decision can influence your academic research. What is positionality, and how can you ensure your location doesn’t influence your research process? Getting familiar with the concept, your own positions, and the advantages that go along with your heritage can help.

Why Location Can Impact Bias, and Therefore the Academic Process

Our countries write history from the eyes of the victor, and for each country, this is unique to them. When you grow up in a location with a different perspective than that of the “normal” view in society, it can show up in your academic research processes through something called “positionality. 

The term refers to your worldview and the position you take regarding a research task. For example, if your position on genocide was that it was cruel and immoral, yet your research led you to evaluate a society that believed genocide was vital, how would you approach your task? Where you’re coming from can direct the steps you take along your project, and you must be aware of those biases to prevent them from leaking into your work.

Advantages of United States Researchers Vs. Foreign-Born Scholars

How does your birthplace determine positionality and your research? Some scholars believe that you have an advantage if you were born, raised, and educated in the United States. Because English is the default language for academics, this birthright gives you an edge in a field full of competition.

In addition to this advantage, those in the United States are already used to living in a diverse melting pot where everyone’s opinions and perspectives must be considered equal to their own, whether they agree with them or not. It’s common to be cognizant of various other belief systems and to watch for stereotypes and biases that could result in skewed research at best and a lawsuit against the researcher and funder at worst. Because of this concern, the process of publishing academic papers in the U.S. typically includes consideration of bias and positionality.

This part of the mental process of determining outside influences isn’t as innate in some other cultures, requiring extra steps to ensure you pay attention to reflexivity and how your position on a topic could be influencing your approach to the research project in front of you.

Another benefit United States researchers have is the unique ability to come and go almost as they please with a passport and, if necessary, permission from the country they plan to visit. Foreign-born researchers often have to deal with the obstacle of obtaining a visa from their government before they can leave the country, which can be time-consuming. For a study or job opportunity that is time-sensitive, this problem is a deterrent that impacts academic research on top of positionality.

Eliminating Location Boundaries With Impactio

Regardless of your location, every researcher knows that collaboration is essential for impact to be achieved. Leaders in the world of academics come together in various ways, connecting with experts in a specific subject matter, and funders who can support their projects to make the maximum impact.

When it comes to academic research, Impactio knows that location shouldn’t be a barrier. The platform connects scholars, funders, and experts together through a massive database of professionals.

Through worldwide transdisciplinary collaboration, you can get access to the resources you need. Whether it’s submitting your portfolio to find funding and support, or connecting with an expert that has unique knowledge that can influence your academic research, eliminate the boundaries of location with Impactio’s global network.