Uncovering the priorities of scientific research on sustainable development goals: A case study in Ethiopia

The United Nations has defined 17 SDGs aimed at addressing fundamental human needs. While the SDGs are relevant to all countries and communities worldwide, they hold particular significance to Ethiopia. Scientific research dedicated to a specific country, or a region therein plays a crucial role in identifying the necessary interventions, planning appropriate courses of action, and monitoring progress toward achieving the SDGs. A considerable amount of scientific research directly or indirectly related to the SDGs, has been conducted on Ethiopia, but the research is fragmented and a clear overview of its focus and impact on the SDGs is lacking. In this study, we conduct a comprehensive review of all available scientific literature on the former province of Wollo, which was the site of one of the most infamous famines in recent times. We found 1591 relevant studies, classified, and analyzed them based on their relevance to the SDGs. Our results indicate that while there has been a significant increase in scientific research in recent years, the focus has been skewed toward a few goals and limited targets within them. Specifically, SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 3 (Good Health and Wellbeing) have received significantly more attention. Further analysis also reveals misplaced priorities indicating a misalignment between scientific research and the needs of the study area. We conclude that while we approach 2030, the deadline for the SDGs, considerable attention must be given to the prioritization of SDGs in scientific research.