ORED, Stennis Institute hosting four-part training series on advancing team science
MSU鈥檚 Office of Research and Economic Development and the Stennis Institute of Government are hosting a four-part training series this fall focused on advancing team science.
Topics for the virtual sessions, free to all MSU faculty and staff members, include Creating a Space for Collaboration (Sept. 16), Linking and Leveraging Expertise and Resources (Oct. 8), Defining Success and Finding a Starting Point (Oct. 21), and Getting Everyone to Take Action Together (Nov. 12). To register for the series, visit . A detailed series description follows.
Complex challenges can only be addressed through collaboration. Team Science, also known as 鈥渃onvergent,鈥 鈥渃ollaborative,鈥 鈥渢ransdisciplinary,鈥 鈥渃ross-disciplinary,鈥 or 鈥渕ulti-disciplinary鈥 science, brings together diverse experts to work together in new and innovative ways to achieve potential solutions. Collaborative Team Science is increasingly the focus of calls for funding, but this requires new ways of working together. Like any other skill, collaboration is something that needs to be learned and practiced. Today鈥檚 scholars should understand how to design and guide effective collaborations (both within and external to the institution) to accelerate innovation and change.
The four part virtual series, based on the 鈥淪trategic Doing鈥 approach to agile strategy development, will introduce participants to some of the key collaboration skills that have been adopted by executives, managers, university administrators, faculty, scholars, students and community leaders as part of effective collaborations and will help you advance your scholarship through team science:
Session 1:
Designing and Guiding Complex Collaborations:听 Creating a Space for Collaboration
Wednesday, September 16th
2 p.m.
This session will discuss and explore the critical need to collaborate in order to address complex challenges and how creating and maintaining a safe space for deep, focused conversations helps in developing and guiding new collaborative efforts.
Learning Outcomes:
Participants can expect to gain a better understanding of:
鈥⑻ What defines Team Science, and how Team Science fosters interdisciplinary research to address complex research problems
鈥⑻ Why we need a collaborative approach to strategy development
鈥⑻ The importance of building trust and guiding conversations in collaborative efforts
鈥⑻ How to create and assure a 鈥渟afe space鈥 for critical conversations
鈥⑻ How to progress through the various stages of collaborative behavior
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Session 2:
Designing and Guiding Complex Collaborations:听 Linking and Leveraging Expertise and Resources
Thursday, October 8th
10a.m.
This session will focus on helping participants understand the importance of focusing on the resources they already have instead of dwelling on what resources are missing when it comes to moving a collaboration forward. The session will also help participants begin to think 鈥渉orizontally鈥 by linking and leveraging their assets to create new opportunities.
Learning Outcomes:
Participants can expect to gain a better understanding of:
鈥⑻ How Team Science builds from existing assets to create new opportunities for research collaboration
鈥⑻ An asset-based approach to strategy development
鈥⑻ How to identify the assets that exist within their existing network
鈥⑻ The importance of framing strategy based on a group鈥檚 assets
鈥⑻ The difference between 鈥渧ertical鈥 and 鈥渉orizontal鈥 thinking
鈥⑻ How recombinant innovation creates value
鈥⑻ How to identify strategic opportunities by 鈥渓inking and leveraging鈥 existing assets
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Session 3:
Designing and Guiding Complex Collaborations:听 Defining Success and Finding a Starting Point
Wednesday, October 21
10 a.m.
This session will focus on the importance of collaborative teams translating ideas into meaningful, measurable outcomes and also being willing to experiment and 鈥渓earn by doing.鈥
Learning Outcomes:
Participants can expect to gain a better understanding of:
鈥⑻ How Team Science requires new ways of working together to move collaboration forward
鈥⑻ The importance of envisioning success in order to drive engagement and reduce future conflicts
鈥⑻ The critical role experimentation plays in guiding and growing new collaborative efforts
鈥⑻ The role 鈥淧athfinder Projects鈥 play in strengthening a collaboration and in agile strategy development
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Session 4:
Designing and Guiding Complex Collaborations:听 Getting Everyone to Take Action Together
Thursday, November 12th
2 p.m.
This session focuses on the importance of collaborative teams making commitments to connect and learn on a regular basis using the 鈥30/30鈥 tool. With the understanding that 鈥渢hinking鈥 and 鈥渄oing鈥 happen simultaneously, this skill focuses on how to set up a process to reconvene and continue to conduct focused conversations that will allow collaborations to learn, grow, and sustain momentum.
Learning Outcomes:
Participants can expect to gain a better understanding of:
鈥⑻ Successful ongoing collaboration to support Team Science
鈥⑻ The importance of learning loops and constant communication
鈥⑻ The importance of utilizing short-term action plans
鈥⑻ The characteristics of a 鈥30/30鈥 meeting
鈥⑻ The critical role 鈥30/30s鈥 play in a successful collaboration
鈥⑻ The importance of everyone taking a small step forward together