Academic Production and Collaboration Among BRICS-Based Researchers: How Far Can the “De-Westernization” of Communication and Media Studies Go?

Academic Production and Collaboration Among BRICS-Based Researchers: How Far Can the “De-Westernization” of Communication and Media Studies Go?
Authors: Naiza Comel, Chirlei Kohls, Francisco Paulo Jamil Marques
Journal: Journalism & Mass Communication Quarterly
Volume & Issue: Volume 101, Issue 1, 2024

The study situates itself within ongoing debates on the “de-Westernization” of knowledge production in Communication and Media studies. Despite increasing academic output from BRICS nations, the research finds limited intra-BRICS collaboration, with partnerships among these countries accounting for only a small fraction of total scholarly activity. China emerged as the leading knowledge hub, yet even Chinese researchers show minimal co-authorship with peers in other BRICS countries, highlighting the persistence of Global North–centered academic networks.

Using data from SciVal and SJR on 7,938 journal articles, the study demonstrates substantial differences within BRICS countries in publication volume and journal rankings. Many BRICS scholars continue to rely on collaborations with Global North institutions to publish in high-impact journals, reinforcing structural asymmetries in global academic influence. Brazil is notable for emphasizing national journals, which allow focus on locally relevant topics but limit integration into international academic circuits.

The paper critically argues that, without targeted South-South strategies, the “de-Westernization” agenda risks being co-opted or dominated by Global North frameworks. It emphasizes that addressing these imbalances requires supportive policies, including research funding, infrastructure, and access to resources, to foster autonomous networks of knowledge circulation. The authors recommend future qualitative research—interviews with researchers, editors, and board members—to capture the nuanced meanings of “de-Westernization” in BRICS contexts and identify strategies for greater theoretical and methodological inclusivity.