Collaborations

Collaborations are important to advancing scientific knowledge, especially as we tackle complex global issues that we are facing these days. Successful interdisciplinary efforts require highly integrated and interactive research teams with the scientific goals at the center of the collaboration (1). Both the leaders and the participants should help develop a shared vision and strategically identify team members that bring purpose to the team. Collaborations occur across a continuum ranging from low to high levels of interaction and integration (Figure 1) (1). At the low end of the spectrum, investigator-initiated research may have high levels of interaction within a lab, but limited interaction with other researchers outside of the lab group. At the high end of the spectrum, a collaborative team comprises researchers with diverse backgrounds with different areas of expertise with common objectives, coordinated resource sharing, and a shared agenda of meeting the research objectives. However, knowing which end of the spectrum is right for which project can be challenging, and choosing when, if, and how to collaborate can be confusing. So, below are some tips and guidelines.


Figure 1. The continuum of interaction and integration in collaborations.

How to collaborate

This article provides a nice, brief overview of how to collaborate to get us started on the topic. Below I have added key points I have gathered from various other sources.

Key components of a successful collaboration:

  1. Trust-a critical piece! (2)

a. Trust that your collaborators bring the appropriate level of knowledge and expertise

b. It is slowly gained and easily lost

c. Produce outputs as promised and on time


  1. Self-awareness and emotional intelligence

a. Build your self-awareness-consider how your behavior impacts others

b. Division of labor-the division of labor doesn't have to be equal but does need to be clear

c. Set the ego aside

d. Generously share your knowledge and ideas

e. Carefully listen to others


  1. Infrastructure/Funding (3)

a. Physical space can foster collaboration at all levels (between lab members, faculty within a college, or between colleges)

b. Some funding has requirements for collaborators with guidelines or encourages collaborations across career stages


  1. Shared vision

a. Revisit the vision often as it often changes over time-each member has an awareness of the big picture


  1. Interest and effort in learning each other's languages (4)

a. Remain curious about new approaches and terms

b. Ask for definitions or develop a glossary for the team


  1. Enjoy working together!

Strengthening Team Dynamics:

  1. Fostering a non-threatening environment

  2. Recognize the strength of all the team members-if team members do not know they are important or what role they play, they are more likely to drop out

  3. Encourage open discussion by fostering trust

  4. Decisions that need to be made as a group have that opportunity and understand the implications

  5. Schedule assessment and request feedback (heeeey...we talked about that!)

There are disadvantages of being an early-career or newcomer in a field-It takes time and energy to understand and identify key people that can contribute and elevate your work. One important way to do this is by sharing your work at conferences and seminars.

References

  1. Bennett, L. Michelle, and Howard Gadlin. "Collaboration and team science: from theory to practice." Journal of investigative medicine 60.5 (2012): 768-775.

  2. Bennett, L. Michelle, Howard Gadlin, and Christophe Marchand. Collaboration team science: Field guide. US Department of Health & Human Services, National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute, 2018.

  3. Salazar Miranda, Arianna, and Matthew Claudel. "Spatial proximity matters: A study on collaboration." Plos one 16.12 (2021): e0259965.

  4. Sahneh, Faryad, et al. "Ten simple rules to cultivate transdisciplinary collaboration in data science." PLoS computational biology 17.5 (2021): e1008879.