Conducting research in low- and middle-income settings

A vast research gap in publishing between high-income (HIC) and low and middle-income countries (LMIC) exists. Given sociocultural, health systems, and geopolitical differences, results from studies carried out in high resource countries are clearly not generalizable to a truly global context. Collaborations and equal partnerships are contributing to strengthen partnerships between HIC and LMIC research, improve research capacity, and increase outputs from LMIC. This chapter aims to highlight challenges and opportunities in carrying out collaborative research in LMICs, based on the experience of UK-based researchers working with many partners across diverse settings. Cross-cultural work is not always easy and specific issues need to be addressed at different stages of the research regarding foundations for research, data collection, and impact and sustainability in order to make real impact in policy and practice. The rise of global health research is an opportunity to develop neuropsychiatric research in LMIC.