The challenges and opportunities of conducting research in developing countries

I am sitting at my desk looking at an email from a journal. The paper is fine, they say, but can we just do an extra experiment? In my early days as a PI, such requests brought on a sense of dread as it would often require months of research and coordination with collaborators. Why? Well, I work at a small research university in southern Thailand, and like much of the developing world, we are constantly trying to meet the demands of a system that we are often excluded from. We see this in editorial boards, key policy forums and the research that is highlighted by websites and chemistry magazines. When I first realised this I was outraged, but the truth is sadder; the research powerhouses of the world are simply unaware of the challenges we face.

When I first moved to Thailand in 2002, as a bright-eyed newly minted PI from the UK, I was confident I could make a success of the move. Had I known the problems I would encounter, I would probably never have come, but I would also have missed out on some unforgettable life experiences. Like all new lecturers in Thailand, I had no start-up funds or student scholarships, and I quickly discovered that the research grants I was eligible for provided limited funds. This meant that some of my ideas were simply not feasible given the cost of the materials and analysis involved. Moreover, without students I had to do all the research myself.

While this was initially a source of great frustration, I have come to see this as more of an opportunity. How can I do something interesting that the international community will value within the budget and time I have? This type of thinking has helped to develop my creativity and led to new ways of doing research that are simplified and more sustainable.