Contemporary research grants often require more than a single principal investigator or collaboration with the lab down the hall. Across fields, scientists increasingly find they need to work as part of a team with collaborators from different disciplines, institutions, and communities; and funders increasingly require team approaches and ‘convergent research’.

To help researchers succeed in a team-based environment and secure team-based extramural support, Tufts University’s Office of the Vice Provost for Research/ Office of Research Development and the Tufts Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI) are offering a workshop on team science fundamentals. Developed with the assistance of the Tufts Technology Services Design Practice, the intensive four-hour training provides an evidence-based framework for effective collaboration planning. Participants will gain practical skills for building cohesive teams and strategies that are adaptable to diverse research domains and settings.

By the end of this interactive symposium, event participants should be able to:

• Understand the importance of team science skills to successful research outcomes
• Understand the team science competencies needed for building new research teams
• Use tools and strategies for:
  • Formulating shared goals and vision
  • Understanding individual contributions, opportunities for collaboration, and gaps within the team
  • Creating a collaboration plan.

Details

1. Wednesday, September 30, 2020, 10:00 AM –11:30 AM, and
   Wednesday, October 7, 2020, 10:00 AM – Noon.
2. Location: Online via Zoom (a link will be emailed to those who register).

This workshop is open to faculty and research staff at any level. The curriculum is designed to be useful to new and experienced investigators, including seasoned PIs interested in developing program- or center-level proposals.

This will be a two-part workshop for a total of three-and-one-half hours. Registrants are expected to attend both parts A and B, and complete a short (20-30 minute) homework assignment between the sessions.

This is the first workshop in a series that Tufts OVPR Research Development and Tufts CTSI will be offering on Team Science. Participants will be able to join any or all at no cost.

Registration

To attend, please register here by September 23, 2020.

Agenda – Part A, September 30

• 10:00AM: Welcome: Defining Team Science and the Need for a Team-Based Approach
• 10:15AM: Team Science Competencies and Strategies Overview
• 10:30AM: Individual Collaboration Readiness
• 10:45AM: Milestone Brainstorm
• 11:00AM: Prepare for Part B Grand Challenge Scenario
• 11:15AM: Wrap-up

Agenda – Part B, October 7

• 10:00AM: Review and Introduction to Grand Challenge Scenario
• 10:15AM: Breakout Groups: Shared Visions Statements and Milestones
• 11:15AM: Report Out
• 11:25AM: Collaboration Plan Demonstration
• 11:45AM: Wrap-up

Tufts CTSI Professional Education & Expectations for Course Participants

Tufts CTSI’s Professional Education programs provide non-degree continuing education and training for clinical and translational research professionals from all Tufts CTSI partners and beyond.

Course enrollment priority is given to researchers from Tufts CTSI partner institutions. If your participation needs to be approved by your supervisor or a person responsible for your time release, you may provide their contact information when you register for the program.

This course is provided free of charge and is supported by the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Award Number UL1TR002544.  The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the NIH.