MSU’s 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 https://www.research.msstate.edu/initiatives/seminars. A detailed series description follows.

Complex challenges can only be addressed through collaboration. Team Science, also known as “convergent,” “collaborative,” “transdisciplinary,” “cross-disciplinary,” or “multi-disciplinary” 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’s 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 “Strategic Doing” 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:  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:

•             What defines Team Science, and how Team Science fosters interdisciplinary research to address complex research problems

•             Why we need a collaborative approach to strategy development

•             The importance of building trust and guiding conversations in collaborative efforts

•             How to create and assure a “safe space” for critical conversations

•             How to progress through the various stages of collaborative behavior

Session 2:

Designing and Guiding Complex Collaborations:  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 “horizontally” by linking and leveraging their assets to create new opportunities.

Learning Outcomes:

Participants can expect to gain a better understanding of:

•             How Team Science builds from existing assets to create new opportunities for research collaboration

•             An asset-based approach to strategy development

•             How to identify the assets that exist within their existing network

•             The importance of framing strategy based on a group’s assets

•             The difference between “vertical” and “horizontal” thinking

•             How recombinant innovation creates value

•             How to identify strategic opportunities by “linking and leveraging” existing assets

Session 3:

Designing and Guiding Complex Collaborations:  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 “learn by doing.”

Learning Outcomes:

Participants can expect to gain a better understanding of:

•             How Team Science requires new ways of working together to move collaboration forward

•             The importance of envisioning success in order to drive engagement and reduce future conflicts

•             The critical role experimentation plays in guiding and growing new collaborative efforts

•             The role “Pathfinder Projects” play in strengthening a collaboration and in agile strategy development

Session 4:

Designing and Guiding Complex Collaborations:  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 “30/30” tool. With the understanding that “thinking” and “doing” 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:

•             Successful ongoing collaboration to support Team Science

•             The importance of learning loops and constant communication

•             The importance of utilizing short-term action plans

•             The characteristics of a “30/30” meeting

•             The critical role “30/30s” play in a successful collaboration

•             The importance of everyone taking a small step forward together