Collaboration: What, why, and how? Howard Goldstein Associate Dean of Research College of Behavioral & Community Sciences September 26, 2014

What outcomes do you associate with collaboration?

Defining collaboration is difficult Harkens back to our discussion on mentorship

Mentoring Model (Anderson & Shannon, 1988) MENTORING MENTORING DISPOSITIONS MENTORING DISPOSITIONS Leading Incrementally Opening Ourselves MENTORING RELATIONSHIP Role Model: X is a model for Y Nurture: X nurtures Y Care Giver : X cares for Y FUNCTIONS OF MENTORING TEACH: model inform confirm/disconfirm prescribe question SPONSOR: protect support promote ENCOURAGE: affirm inspire challenge COUNSEL: listen probe clarity advise BEFRIEND: accept relate MENTORING ACTIVITIES Demonstrate lessons Arrange for practice of skills Observe and provide feedback Arrange support meetings Expressing Care and Concern

Is growth in multiple authorships evidence of more collaboration Is growth in multiple authorships evidence of more collaboration? Or is it a function of: Changes in funding patterns Increased scientific specialization Need to gain experience or training efficiently Desire for cross-fertilization of ideas across disciplines Desire to work in close proximity with others to benefit from their skills and tacit knowledge Pooling of knowledge to keep up with scientific advances

Isn’t it about relationship development? Social dimension Intellectual dimension Is proximity necessary? How learn one another’s language? Science is a social institution where advances depend crucially on interactions with other scientists

Did you know? The total credit given by the scientific community to all the authors of a jointly authored paper is greater on average than the credit allocated to the author of a single-author paper. The number of co-authors also appears to be strongly correlated with the impact of a paper.

Different levels of collaboration Intra Inter Individual Between individuals Group Same research group Between groups in same dept. Department In same dept Between depts in same institution Institution In same institution Between institutions Sector In same sector Between institutions in different sectors Nation In same country Between institutions in different countries Katz & Martin (1997). What is research collaboration? Research Policy, 26, 1-18.

Possible Benefits Allows research on complex problems demanding an array of skills Facilitates transfer of knowledge and skills Generates new insights through cross-fertilization of ideas Provides intellectual companionship Helps broaden network of contacts Enhances visibility of work

Possible Costs Travel, transportation, and communication Time Increased administrative costs Reconciling different management cultures, financial systems, rules on intellectual property rights

Fostering Research Collaboration Finding research expertise Collaborative Proposal Resources Affiliating with Centers and Institutes 10 Tools for Academic Research

Collaborations do not always work out Sharing is an important skill in early childhood development Communication and shared expectations are key to success Beware of power hierarchies and exploitive relationships Collaborative relationships change over time

“Collaboration” is difficult to define Largely a matter of social convention among scientists When do informal linkages between individuals or groups become collaborations? Varies across institutions, fields, countries May change over time as well