Research Collaboration Guide.Indd
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Acknowledgements Interviewees Prof. Agnieszka Rothert, University of Warsaw Prof. Kers n Stahl, University of Freiburg Prof. Andrew Patrizio, University of Edinburgh Dr. Kevin Mitchell, Trinity College Dublin Dr. Anniek de Ruijter, University of Amsterdam Prof. Dr. Laura Bieger, University of Groningen Prof. Dr. Burkhard Becher, University of Zurich Dr. Leonardo Tondo, Harvard University Prof. Carol Brayne, University of Cambridge Dr. Makoto Miyara, Sorbonne University Prof. Catherine Lyall, University of Edinburgh Dr. Malu Ga o, University College London Dr. Charlo e Ribeyrol, Sorbonne University Prof. Mario Dell’Agli, University of Milan Dr. Cris na Staub, Service Sans Soucis Prof. Mark Rehkämper, Imperial College London Dr. Elio Shijaku, University of Barcelona Dr. Marta Costa, University of Cambridge Prof. Dr. Els Stronks, Utrecht University Prof. Michele Vendruscolo, University of Cambridge Dr. Esteve Fernandez, University of Barcelona Dr. Nici Zimmermann, Univeristy College London Dr. Eszter Voroshazi, IMEC Dr. Nollaig Bourke, Trinity College Dublin Dr. Frédéric Suff ert, Ins tut Na onal de la Recherche Dr. Olivier Schwander, Sorbonne university Agronomique) Prof. Sir Peng Tee Khaw, Univeristy College London Prof. Fredrik Tufvesson, Lund University Prof. Pete Nellist, University of Oxford Prof. Guda van Noort, University of Amsterdam Dr. Rebecca Brauchli, University of Zurich Dr. Isabel Fletcher, University of Edinburgh Dr. Ross Puves, University of Zurich Dr. James Tufano, Charles University in Prague Prof. Sampsa Hautaniemi, University of Helsinki Dr. Jan Šnajder, University of Zagreb Dr. Sara Sa n, University of Milan Prof. Jane Ohlmeyer, Trinity College Dublin Dr. Simon Smith, University of Edinburgh Dr. Janko Jankovic, University of Belgrade Prof. Stéphanie Henne e-Vauchez, University Paris Prof. Jenny Taylor, University of Oxford Nanterre Prof. Jérôme Meizoz, University of Lausanne Dr. Thomas Langer, University of Milan Prof. Johannes Glückler, Universität Heidelberg Dr. Wendy Symes, University of Birmingham Dr. Karoliina Snell, University of Helsinki Prof. Yuri Volkov, Trinity College Dublin Dr. Karolina Pircs, Lund University Dr. Zsuzsa Kovács , Eötvös Loránd University Speakers Ms. Claire Pembleton, University of Edinburgh Prof. Catherine Lyall, University of Edinburgh Mr. Alan Campbell, University of Edinburgh Prof. Ian Underwood, University of Edinburgh Mr. Stuart Easter, University of Edinburgh Prof. Melissa Terras, University of Edinburgh Dr. Rod Mitchell, University of Edinburgh Prof. Chris Speed, University of Edinburgh Mr. Stuart Dunbar, University of Edinburgh Prof. Cathy Dwyer, University of Edinburgh Ms. Katey Warren, University of Edinburgh Dr. Sam Staddon, University of Edinburgh Ms. Imogen Johnston-Menzies, University of Mr. Dominic Tate, University of Edinburgh Edinburgh Ms. Kerry Miller, University of Edinburgh Ms. Jessie Fubara-Manuel , University of Edinburgh Organising Commi ee Sara Shinton Helen MacMillan Emily Woollen Jennifer Riley Sarah Thomas Antony Maciocia 1 Contents Introduc on Why Collaborate? Mo va ons for Collabora on Models of Collabora on Success Factors Challenges of Collabora ons Support for Collabora ons Partnership Agreements Partners Beyond the Academy Cultural Dimensions Key Messages Top Tips for Ge ng Started Do it Yourself Authors 2 Introduc on When the University of Edinburgh proposed Clearly, (na onal, European, interna onal) interna onal collabora on as a theme for the collabora on is benefi cial for research, innova on annual LERU doctoral summer school, it was and educa on: it increases the interac on obvious for LERU to support that idea, and I’m between people, the exchange of ideas, the delighted to take this opportunity to emphasise development of breakthroughs, the speed of the opportuni es that interna onal collabora on scien fi c progress, the exchange of scien fi c off ers. Rather than telling researchers about knowledge, the understanding of cultural collabora on, the vision of the organising team diff erences, the quality of the student experience. was to create a collabora ve challenge for the This guide draws from the experiences of summer school a endees – to create a high researchers from across the LERU network quality publica on in fi ve days! The guide you and summarises the many benefi ts of working are now reading demonstrates how much a together, whilst being honest and realis c about group of like-minded and mo vated researchers the challenges that can arise. can achieve when they pool their skills and experiences to work together. I am confi dent that the quality of this guide will demonstrate what a great experience our LERU, the League of European Research doctoral researchers had and I hope will inspire Universi es, is itself a collabora on between many others to work collabora vely. 23 universi es in 12 European countries which has proven to be very successful. Over the past +15 years, joint lobby ac vi es have been set up, joint best prac ces have been developed, joint research projects have been implemented - Prof. Kurt Deketelaere, Secretary-General, LERU and joint degree programs have been off ered, all of this enhancing collabora on and mobility between the 23 members’ leadership teams, researchers and students. 3 Why Collaborate? Mo va ons for collabora ons One of the fi rst ques ons we asked our interviewees for this guide was about their mo va ons for collabora on. It’s important to understand this of all partners from the beginning as it will help to design and run the project to deliver on all partner’s needs. Apprecia ng what your partners are depending on could help to reduce confl ict if parameters change as the research develops. Below is a histogram of the most common reasons iden fi ed for collabora ng. A few selected comments are highlighted to help illustrate what the general headings mean to individuals. Resources (money, data, samples, Opportunity to equipment) grow and learn Address real-life Big impact problems Apply for important interna onal grants Building a To further the larger network science! Working with the best people, Diff erent inputs wherever they on your topic are Fun and fulfi llment Push Recogni on boundaries ves Fun! Career Career Funding Access to Access to resources problems development Gain new skills Solve complex complex Solve and perspec and 4 Models of Collabora on Research collabora ons involve an equal partnership between two or more groups or individuals pursuing mutually interes ng and benefi cial research. A signifi cant intellectual contribu on by each collaborator is necessary for the interac on to be considered a collabora on (adapted from the Offi ce of Research Integrity). This guide will dis nguish between three models of research collabora ons; collabora ons with other disciplines (interdisciplinary), researchers in other countries (interna onal), or with non-university partners (intersectoral). The defi ni ons used in this guide are shown below. The coloured shapes will be used throughout the guide to indicate if the content is par cularly relevant for a par cular model of collabora on. Defi ned as Defi ned as collabora ons with collabora ons partners outside of the higher that “...integrate academy (i.e. outside higher informa on, data, educa on ins tu ons) such as techniques, tools, industry, health services, chari es, perspec ves, concepts, and/ or NGO’s or theories from two or more disciplines or bodies of specialised Knowledge...” Na onal Academy of Sciences, 2005 p.188 Collabora ons can o en be Defi ned as collabora ons with combina ons of these models. This partnets from diff erent countries guide is full of advice about how to or with partners with diff erent establish and run successful projects, some of which is specifi c to par cular na onal iden es. types of research. If you can recognise what type of collabora on you are pursuing it’s easier to know what advice will have the most relevance. 5 Success Factors Six key success factors for collabora ons were iden fi ed based on the interviews and informed from relevant literature. These were trus ng rela onships, shared vision and goals, clear and eff ec ve communica on, mutual benefi ts, eff ec ve management and support, and posi ve team dynamics. Within these six key success factors the good prac ce that achieves them were iden fi ed from the interviews. Trus ng rela onships Set me aside to nurture Be ethical and Transparency is key; all social rela ons; meet responsible; create an partners should have face to face and chat explicit code of conduct access to all data and from the beginning materials where possible Avoid hierarchy of Be honest. Be clear Commit to the project disciplines and value about your aims and other perspec ves honest about your own skills and limita ons Shared vision and clear goals Explicit, open and Clearly formulate and Establish tools and transparent discussion goals and comi ments resources to get to the of vision & goals in joint goals mee ngs Don’t lose perspec ves Understand background Value all members of the objec ve of the & mo va ons to join the equally collabora on project Clear and eff ec ve communica on Have frequent and Establish a common Ensure common effi cient mee ngs with language between all understanding of all members involved par es expecta ons, tasks, deadlines and outputs Allow diff erent and Listen ac vely and Openly discuss safe forums for encourage the sharing of diff erences as soon as communica on opinions of all members they arise to ensure transparency 6 Mutual benefi ts Being aware of what the