Chapter 43 - Research infrastructure

Summary

This chapter explores the various definitions of research infrastructure. The European Commission Work Programme for 2010, under research infrastructure, has also included radiation sources, data banks in genomics and in social science, observatories for environmental sciences, systems of imaging or clean rooms for the study and development of new materials or nanoelectronics, computing and communication-based e-infrastructures also as part of the infrastructure. Mapping mental health research capacity and resources in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) has provided evidence for scarcity and unequal distribution of mental health research capacity in LMICs. The chapter concludes that low publication rates from LMICs are due to a lack of human resources, and it cites access to journals and databases, research fellowships, and funding as main resources that are lacking in LMICs. High-quality collaborative research conducted in developing countries can provide evidence of relevance and value to the developed world.