Ch. 5 Research collaboration Group 3: Samar Amini Kaycee Okoli Beatriz Montano Tobias Mattsson

Summary Chapter 5 Research projects are collaborative endeavours between several researchers and funders. Problems may arise due to e.g. unwanted results, unfair work-load who gets recognition, responsibility, contribution degree, and time.

What should you do to avoid problems? Discuss all potential issues beforehand (openness and communication). Make a clear plan for the project communicating to all parties involved their different responsibilities (essentially a contract with all possible details concerning the project).

Research collaboration dilemma Peter is a PhD student at SLU and his project is funded by a large international non-governmental organization. The project if successful may be highly beneficial for society. At the beginning of the project he was assured that he was going to get the technical support, crucial to develop his studies, from two experts overseas. After four months the experts informed Peter’s supervisor that they were soon retiring, leaving Peter with no technical support at all. Added to that, after some months, Peter’s supervisor left academia and started a new job, leaving no experts in Peter’s research field at his department. After three years Peter has not been able to advance in his studies/research, has zero publications and is feeling frustrated. Peter has funding for one and a half years more. The funding organization have high hopes for the project, but are largely unaware of Peter’s problems. The international funders are keen on the results and want to discuss the status of the project. What should Peter do?

Solutions - should he: Continue with the project as it is? Ask the funding agency for an extension of his funding to continue his PhD studies within the same research topic? Ask to change the subject and work with a new supervisor? Quit the PhD studies?

Some ethical issues with solutions Continue project or ask for extension Low chance of success, money can go to other projects that have better chance of success. Change subject within topic/new supervisor The project might not have the same societal benefits, but has a higher chance of being successful. Quit project It might be better just to leave it be and not spend any more of the funder’s money, even though it is tough on him personally.

Funding agency Societal interests Scientific Reputation Student’s welfare Research quality and PhD education Continue project No extra funds needed, but might not produce results. No gains of knowledge, if project not produces results or conducted poorly. No extra money input. If succeed, good. Bad if not! Stressful, a lot to do, and high responsibility for project success. Poor, no guidance, but learn by trial and error. Ask for extension Very risky to give more money to a project with a low chance of success, but with more time the project might succeed. Might lead to a finding that is good for society, but also additional waste of ‘public’ funds that might not lead anywhere. You can fall even harder. Less stressful, heavier burden (success of project hangs on his shoulders). Have time to develop a good practice, but overall poor because of lack of guidance. Change subject within topic/new supervisor Not originally what they wanted, but higher success rate, no extra money input. New project may yield good results. Might not be as beneficial for society, but high chance of success. Remain undamaged, new supervisor might get most credit for the findings. Less stressful, can work with a person that knows the subject. Might be a subject that he’s not interested in. Better quality, as you work with an expert, learn techniques without waste of time. No deeper understanding of the method. Quit project No extra risk, no results, supervisor accountable, wasted money. Save ‘public’ funds. No gain of information for society. Money to other project. ‘Quitter’ reputation, or no effect on reputation. Bad for personal economy, but no accountability. Not getting a degree, but has learned soft research skills.

To avoid future problems Be clear with what is demanded by the respective partners in the research endeavour. On-going communication of the situations that can put in risk any of the stakeholders’ interests. Discuss the problem and write a contract and a clear plan on how to proceed and how to succeed. Discuss with the new supervisor of the project on how it is in the interest of the organization, and how this helps the society at large.