Abstract

Chile's historic poor neighborhoods are attracting increasing academic interest, while residents voice concerns about ‘academic extractivism.’ This criticism highlights researchers’ concentration on these well-studied areas without meaningful engagement with locals. Our paper examines this issue from three perspectives: residents’ experiences with institutions and researchers, and their aspirations for self-representation; pressures of ‘fast science’ that disrupt the relationships between scholars and lower-class communities; and the challenges faced by our research team when implementing a conventional research design in these territories. We conclude emphasizing the need for alternative urban research practices that prioritize collaboration, reciprocity, and the redistribution of power dynamics. © 2025 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.