Experiencing Health Services Research in the Global South: a Collaborative Autoethnography of Two Social Work Researchers

Maternal health services research yields the potential to improve global health outcomes across countries. Many of the low-cost and effective clinical innovations to improve maternal mental health outcomes are implemented in the Global South. However, there remains a lack of collaboration from the Global South to the Global North. In this qualitative narrative, we use a collaborative autoethnographical approach to describe a doctoral training health services research experience between North America and South America. In this paper, we describe the ways power and privilege manifest in a South American research training program and our particular positionality as North American women of color. We will also describe the role of cultural humility and awareness of colonization as it translates to research training across the North and South. In conclusion, we will share lessons learned in forming skills to establish partnerships and where our maternal health collaboration aims to continue to build mutual collaboration across countries.