Collaborative Coding in Multi-National Teams: Benefits, Challenges and Experiences Promoting Equitable Research

Within multi-national research collaborations, power dynamics often shape who is involved in which parts of the research process. The analysis phase of research has historically been framed as requiring expert perspective, excluding national or local researchers whose role is often limited to collecting data and transferring it to others to analyse. This paper describes and reflects on the process of collaborative coding across a multi-national team based in Lebanon and the United Kingdom, as part of a broader approach to co-production. Moreover, it contributes a reflexive analysis on the power dynamics and decision-making complexities involved in collaborative coding; emphasising the importance of investing in interpersonal relationships over time and prioritising less-centralised decision-making within research collaborations.