Course will build students' core knowledge and skills for effective engagement in collaborative research. Through readings, lectures, discussions, small group workshopping, and practical activities, students will build competencies in promoting equity in research partnerships, systems thinking, team science, engaging with non-academic partners, and strategic communication.
Athena Title
Collaborative Research
Semester Course Offered
Offered fall
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Student learning Outcomes
Students will understand how to identify different models for engaging with non-academic partners, from informing and consulting to co-production and advocacy.
Students will understand how to evaluate the ethical implications and appropriate contexts for adopting different engagement models.
Students will understand key principles for building and sustaining partnerships with different kinds of partners and stakeholders.
Students will understand how to apply systems thinking and mapping to collaboratively frame problems and research objectives.
Students will understand how to implement procedures and practice skills that improve the coordination and effectiveness of team-based research.
Students will understand how to gain experience in selecting and designing strategic oral, written and visual communication formats for different audiences and communication objectives.
Topical Outline
Ethics and equity in research partnerships
1. Models of engagement
2. Tacit power and authority of science
3. Defining equity in project objectives and processes
Engaging with non-academic research partners
1. Building trust, inclusivity, and pluralism
2. Spectrum of roles and responsibilities
3. Collaborative decision-making processes
Systems Thinking
1. Interactions, feedbacks, and linkages across scales
2. Value of shared mental models
3. System mapping and analytical tools
Team Science
1. Team structure and flows
2. Organizational and operational strategies
3. Data management
Strategic Communication
1. Defining objectives
2. Audience and language
3. Communication platforms
