Why the pseudo matters to global health

Abstract

This introductory article presents the concept of the pseudo as a means of challenging the confidence with which many within global health approach ideas and praxis in terms of binary oppositions, such as real or fake. We argue that this confidence, in clearly discernible dichotomies, ignores the core theme inspiring this special issue: that of the 'inbetween phenomena'the fake-in-the-real, the authentic-in-theinauthentic, and so forth. Instead of taking binary oppositions as stable, we examine empirical examples of continuums between polar opposites. Drawing on Popper's discussion of pseudoscience, as theories existing between science and non-science, we approach the ambiguous, uncertain and unstable and 'in-between' phenomena as manifestations of pseudo global health. We argue that the pseudo enables approaches more reflective of the messiness and lack of certainty of everyday encounters with global health, while illuminating phenomena that are often kept 'backstage'. Finally, we discuss three intersecting themes raised by the special issue articles: ideas of geography, and in particular, questions about assumed relationships between (jn)authenticity and locality; the role of methods in examining pseudo global health, and the role of power and how paying attention to areas of ambiguity can disrupt assumptions about who holds power and where power lies. ARTICLE HISTORY

Problematizing ‘predatory publishing’: A systematic review of factors shaping publishing motives, decisions, and experiences

“…(2015) sought to try and describe these conditions in some depth, but others continue to interpret these practices as the result of academic ignorance and lack of knowledge (Panjikaran & Mathew, 2020). Kingori and Gerrets (2019) question the perceived ‘geographies of authenticity’ that lie behind these assumptions, suggesting that ‘perceptions of what is real or fake’ are shaped by Northern attitudes about researchers in the ‘Global South’ ( ibid , p. 382). The assumption that so‐called ‘predatory’ publishers solely target early career researchers in the global south is challenged by more recent work.…”

The Community Lab of Ideas for Health: Community-Based Transdisciplinary Solutions in a Malaria Elimination Trial in The Gambia

“…Moreover, there are methodological biases that influence informants' views or responses (e.g. informants provide answers they believe researchers want to hear, data collectors influence data due to their morals, beliefs, experiences or logistical limitations) ( 65 – 67 ) that can be erroneously interpreted as authentic local knowledge. Law ( 68 ) calls it “performative understanding of methods” that treat knowledge practices as “performative” where knowledge is created and realities (that are not real outside of a particular realm – e.g.…”

Cancer and contaminated food: Toxic uncertainties in western Kenya

“…She tells me: 2012). Moreover, it is not only commodities (such as fish or medicines) that are suspect; it is the people and institutions selling them (Kingori & Gerrets 2019). This pervasive sense of mistrust emerges in our conversation, as it ranges from how one fries fish and how it tastes to the oil used in frying it, where the fat comes from and how hard it is to know what is in food because women who sell the food need to eke out a living.…”