Translating academic research into real-world impact is far from straightforward—especially in contexts marked by inequality, such as marginalized communities in the global South. This article reveals that resistance from powerful stakeholders and entrenched power dynamics often stifle change, making research translation both a political and ethical challenge.
The authors call out a “façade of rationality” that hides the messy realities of implementation, particularly when translation is led by researchers who themselves face systemic barriers. Efforts to bring research to marginalized groups often exacerbate rather than alleviate inequalities, as dominant actors may block, distort, or ignore inconvenient findings.
The article proposes three strategies: co-create research with marginalized communities from the outset, build impact incrementally through inclusive platforms like social media and community forums, and leverage institutional support from the Global North to elevate voices from the Global South. The core message: to create genuine impact, researchers and funders must center equity, inclusion, and power-sharing in every step of the translation process.