Hello Robert, thanks for your comment. Very constr...

2009-11-29T21:50:29.784+01:00

Hello Robert, thanks for your comment. Very constructive indeed. You may agree with me that the atmosphere inside research labs is very competitive. Normally, independent of the project's results, each member of the team has to deliver individual results which will allow them to graduate. So, sometimes those research projects push them out of the monograph/dissertation/thesis' route, letting the graduation a bit more distant. They may also be scared about the possibility of having their ideas stolen by other project's members. At the same time, those projects essentially support their opportunities of creating really new things.

So, how to balance these three things: project commitment, collaboration and individual responsibility? It is a real challenge, but I think it is possible with a good leadership. First, project leaders (usually full time researchers) may carefully divide the contribution of the project between all team members. It may reduce the possibility of stealing ideas. Second, make a strong link between their project activities and their respective individual responsibility for graduation. It may effectively help them to move forward. But, what about collaboration? Well, it is a consequence. Reasoning: if everyone is doing a different but complementary part of the project and this part is actually helping them to complete their individual duties then they don't have a practical reason to be against collaboration, they just do that because their part can only work connected with everybody else's part.

It may sound very optimistic, but I would summarize everything in two words: leadership and complementarity. Any way one applies these two words should make collaboration work. How? It depends on each case. We should figure it out somehow. :)

Hildeberto, I certainly agree that collaboration ...

2009-11-29T19:49:31.782+01:00

Hildeberto,

I certainly agree that collaboration can spur you on to greater heights; I work best on teams and this was a primary reason for my coming to the University of Florida: I had the opportunity to work on a AFRL MURI to examine flapping wings with a team of people. However, I have seen that it is quite difficult to generate this sort of work although I work on such a project. I have attempted to start a departmental mentoring program and started a social network to encourage people to interact. I’ve also considered starting a hobbyist’s club or something similar. While the mediocre results thus far may be due to my needing to be more proactive/persevering, I was wondering if you had any thoughts on how MIT leadership is encouraging cooperation, if the students are generally looking to collaborate, and/or if you had any thoughts on overcoming the barriers to collaboration. Thanks for any response you might share.

Sincerely,

Robert

Comments on Hildeberto's Blog: For a Better Lab

Hello Robert, thanks for your comment. Very constr...

Hildeberto, I certainly agree that collaboration ...