Parachute (or ‘helicopter’) research is the practice of conducting primary research within a host country and subsequently publishing findings with inadequate recognition of local researchers, staff and/or supporting infrastructure. The aim is that these recommendations will be broadly applicable within academic publishing; of use to international researchers at the point of study or partnership conceptualisation; and increase awareness of this issue among the general readership of academic journals. Joining our Associate Editor Sheila Myatra was Seye Abimbola, Refiloe Masekela, Angela Obasi and Ben Morton who are authors of the paper.