oa “You Should Be Grateful for this Opportunity”: An Autoethnography on the Injustice in Doctoral Research in Francophone Belgium

Global South researchers have encountered several challenges that have posed significant obstacles to their mobility, especially with the strict global immigration policies. The consequences of these obstacles have made it challenging for Global South researchers to move freely and access scientific opportunities in the Global North, which has become the hub of scientific research. The disparities in scientific resources between the Global North and the Global South further exacerbate these issues. Drawing on my personal experience as an African researcher in Brussels, I discuss the significant issues faced by migrant researchers. Using autoethnography as a method, I examine the impact of the coloniality of migration politics in Francophone Belgium and how it has contributed to the marginalization of migrant researchers in the university. To achieve this, I analyse funding conventions documents, visa/travelling conventions, and email exchanges to identify the experiences of migrant researchers in Francophone Belgium. The findings of this study can indicate that migrant researchers are subjected to various forms of exclusionary practices and discrimination, including but not limited to difficulties in accessing funding and information as well as the right to representation. The significant impact of coloniality in the Francophone Belgian scientific field has resulted in exclusionary practices and discrimination against migrant researchers, causing them short and long terms consequences. The findings highlight the need for policy interventions from all levels of power that can address the challenges encountered by migrant researchers in accessing scientific opportunities.