Mr Xeanne Brixe Malimas1, Ms Elaiza May Flores2, Dr Primitivo Iii Ragandang1
1Mindanao State University-iligan Institute of Technology, Iligan, Philippines, 2Liceo de Cagayan University, Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines
Biography:
Primitivo III Cabanes Ragandang is an Associate Professor of Political Science at Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology in the Philippines. His research on youth, peace, and memory has been published in the Journal of Peacebuilding and Development, Peace Review, Conflict, Security, and Development, among others. In 2021, he co-edited a book on youth, peacebuilding, and sustainability, published through the Young Southeast Asia Leaders Program of the United States Mission to ASEAN. His forthcoming book, Peacebuilding and Memory in the Philippines: Transgenerational Resilience, is under contract with Palgrave Macmillan.
Abstract:
The growing emphasis on Scopus-indexed publications as a benchmark for academic recognition has reshaped the research landscape in higher education. This study examines the gendered implications of this "Scopusation" in Mindanao, focusing on how it influences knowledge production in a peripheral and conflict-affected region. Using a qualitative approach, the research investigates the challenges faced by academics—particularly women—due to structural inequities in access to publishing resources, time constraints, and institutional expectations. It also explores how prioritizing Scopus-indexed publications affects the relevance and inclusivity of research outputs, potentially marginalizing voices that do not align with global academic standards. The study collects data through interviews with faculty, document analysis of institutional policies, and focus group discussions. By applying a gender lens, the research highlights how Scopusation exacerbates existing disparities in academic participation, creating hierarchy in knowledge production. The findings aim to inform policy recommendations for more inclusive academic practices that balance global standards with local relevance and equity.