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A Practical Guide for Managing Interdisciplinary Teams: Lessons Learned from Coupled Natural and Human Systems Research

Author

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  • V. Reilly Henson

    (Hume Center for National Security and Technology, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA)

  • Kelly M. Cobourn

    (Department of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA)

  • Kathleen C. Weathers

    (Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, Millbrook, NY 12545, USA)

  • Cayelan C. Carey

    (Department of Biology, Virginia Tech, VA 24061, Blacksburg, VA 12545, USA)

  • Kaitlin J. Farrell

    (Odum School of Ecology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA)

  • Jennifer L. Klug

    (Department of Biology, Fairfield University, Fairfield, CT 06824, USA)

  • Michael G. Sorice

    (Department of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA)

  • Nicole K. Ward

    (Department of Biology, Virginia Tech, VA 24061, Blacksburg, VA 12545, USA)

  • Weizhe Weng

    (School of Business, SUNY Geneseo, Geneseo, NY 14454, USA)

Abstract

Interdisciplinary team science is essential to address complex socio-environmental questions, but it also presents unique challenges. The scientific literature identifies best practices for high-level processes in team science, e.g., leadership and team building, but provides less guidance about practical, day-to-day strategies to support teamwork, e.g., translating jargon across disciplines, sharing and transforming data, and coordinating diverse and geographically distributed researchers. This article offers a case study of an interdisciplinary socio-environmental research project to derive insight to support team science implementation. We evaluate the project’s inner workings using a framework derived from the growing body of literature for team science best practices, and derive insights into how best to apply team science principles to interdisciplinary research. We find that two of the most useful areas for proactive planning and coordinated leadership are data management and co-authorship. By providing guidance for project implementation focused on these areas, we contribute a pragmatic, detail-oriented perspective on team science in an effort to support similar projects.

Suggested Citation

  • V. Reilly Henson & Kelly M. Cobourn & Kathleen C. Weathers & Cayelan C. Carey & Kaitlin J. Farrell & Jennifer L. Klug & Michael G. Sorice & Nicole K. Ward & Weizhe Weng, 2020. "A Practical Guide for Managing Interdisciplinary Teams: Lessons Learned from Coupled Natural and Human Systems Research," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 9(7), pages 1-19, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jscscx:v:9:y:2020:i:7:p:119-:d:382501
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Richard Van Noorden, 2015. "Interdisciplinary research by the numbers," Nature, Nature, vol. 525(7569), pages 306-307, September.
    2. Lee, You-Na & Walsh, John P. & Wang, Jian, 2015. "Creativity in scientific teams: Unpacking novelty and impact," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 44(3), pages 684-697.
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    Cited by:

    1. László Berényi & László Soltész, 2022. "Evaluation of Product Development Success: A Student Perspective," Administrative Sciences, MDPI, vol. 12(2), pages 1-17, April.

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