{"id":780,"date":"2018-02-01T14:09:47","date_gmt":"2018-02-01T14:09:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/esa.org\/earlycareer\/?p=780"},"modified":"2021-05-24T23:31:23","modified_gmt":"2021-05-24T23:31:23","slug":"team-science-techniques-for-highly-effective-teams","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/esa.org\/earlycareer\/2018\/02\/01\/team-science-techniques-for-highly-effective-teams\/","title":{"rendered":"Team science techniques for highly effective teams"},"content":{"rendered":"

Ecology is becoming an increasingly collaborative science, as seen in part by the increasing number of authors on ecology publications.<\/p>\n

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Francois Keck, 2017 (via http:\/\/www.pieceofk.fr\/?p=479)<\/p><\/div>\n

As an early career ecologist, you\u2019ve probably already worked in at least a few, and maybe many, collaborative research teams, whether your collaborators came from within your lab group, or institutions around the world. You\u2019ve probably also already realized that not all collaborative teams are the same- while some are high-performing, others continually struggle with project management and interpersonal challenges, from inefficient, seemingly rudderless meetings to tension about authorship<\/a> on group publications. The good news is that high-performing teams do not come together coincidentally, but are a result of intentional actions and mindsets framed from the \u201cscience of team science\u201d- thus by including team science approaches in our work, we can improve the nature of our collaborations.<\/p>\n

The science of team science seeks to identify common challenges and potential solutions for working in collaborative teams (National Research Council, 2015). At its core, the science of team science promotes best practices for interdisciplinary communication, facilitation, conflict management, and leadership. While these activities have often been pejoratively labeled \u201csoft skills\u201d<\/a> and excluded from training programs, the inclusion of team science approaches can improve the effectiveness of our teams, and thus, the science we are able to conduct.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re keen to improve your interactions in collaborative ecological research, here are three steps to get started:<\/p>\n

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  1. Seek out training in team science best practices<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Regardless of career stage, training in team science can go a long way toward improving group effectiveness. Luckily, abundant resources already exist that can provide best practices for individuals and teams as a whole. The supplement to Cheruvelil et al. (2014)<\/a> provides examples of specific activities that can be implemented in collaborative groups, from initial team building activities that set team norms and expectations to check-in activities that help maintain momentum throughout the life of a project. Similarly, the SciTS website<\/a> serves as a clearinghouse for trainings and tools to improve team functioning. Finally, you can help improve future collaborative teams by advocating for the inclusion of team science training in undergraduate and graduate programs at your institution, or in your lab group.<\/p>\n

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    1. Facilitation is your friend<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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      Image: masterfulfacilitation.com<\/p><\/div>\n

      Having effective team meetings become increasingly challenging as group size grows. In addition, our increased reliance on virtual meetings and long distance collaboration<\/a> present their own challenges for holding productive meetings and maintaining group momentum. Agreeing upon group norms<\/a>, including designating meeting facilitators, can help set the stage for productive meetings. The facilitator helps the group stick to a meeting agenda (a critical component<\/a> of successful meetings!) by focusing discussion and synthesizing differing viewpoints. In addition, the facilitator helps ensure that all voices are heard- which can be particularly important for early career participants and members of underrepresented groups<\/a>. These and other facilitation techniques help use team time productively, and thus keep team members more engaged in the project as a whole.<\/p>\n

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      1. Lead by example<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        Senior personnel on projects may lack formal training in project management and team science- but that doesn\u2019t mean they\u2019re not aware of the value of team science techniques and open to new ideas and approaches! Leading by example in group interactions can help demonstrate the value of team science approaches to ecological collaborations. Checking in with yourself with the following questions can help ensure that you\u2019re being the type of collaborator you hope to work with:<\/p>\n