Background Decolonising global health requires rethinking how evidence is generated, valued and applied to address colonial legacies and power imbalances in systems, practices and research. Methods This analysis draws on findings from a scoping review and synthesises existing literature to examine how decolonisation principles can be integrated into implementation science. Results We propose three conceptual shifts: (1) Embedding contextually and locally driven intervention approaches, (2) Centring participatory, equity-focused methodologies that redistribute authority and (3) Expanding metrics to capture power, authorship equity, adaptability and legitimacy. These shifts reposition implementation science as a transformative practice supporting structural change. Conclusion Operationalising these shifts through policy-aligned, locally led research, equitable mentorship and technologies co-designed with communities provides a practical framework for researchers, funders and policymakers to embed decolonisation into implementation science, ensuring interventions are contextually relevant, equitable and socially just.
Mehjabeen et al. (Fri,) studied this question.