The role of ‘Team Science’ in promoting a supportive research culture
Jeanette Woolard, Professor of Cardiovascular Physiology and Pharmacology
In 2016, the Universities of Nottingham and Birmingham entered into a collaboration to establish the Centre of Membrane Proteins and Receptors (COMPARE). At the same time that COMPARE was developing its collaborative vision, the Academy of Medical Sciences published a report on Team Science. This was published to highlight the need for ‘Improving recognition of Team Science contributions in biomedical research careers’ and highlighted the importance of Team Science in addressing increasingly complex and multifaceted research challenges.
The main finding of the report was that, in a team context, there was a perceived lack of recognition of researchers’ contributions and this was the major deterrent for their participation in Team Science. The report made a series of recommendations to improve recognition systems to encourage and reward researchers for participating in team-based approaches.
Over the last four years, COMPARE has established a leading reputation internationally for good practice in the delivery of a truly innovative and multidisciplinary Team Science approach to research. The delivery of this approach has involved a number of Team Science activities. We have developed networking and collaborative activities across the two universities, established an Early Career Researcher (ECR) Team Science Committee with a significant budget, and supported conferences, workshops, collaborative projects, and training events.
Diverse teams doing discovery
This collaborative research environment underpinned the award by the Wellcome Trust of a new PhD programme in ‘Drug Discovery and Team Science’. This will recruit 4 students each year, over a 5-year recruitment period, with the first cohort starting in October 2020. Projects are fully funded for 4-years, with funding in place for a ‘transition period’ following completion of the PhD programme. This additional support will allow students to explore career development opportunities before making crucial decisions about their futures.
Within the programme, we have implemented strategies to enhance diversity of recruitment, experience and talent that will result from a Team Science approach. The programme will involve close collaboration between several Schools across the University of Nottingham. There will also be close interaction with industry and other partners to enhance collaboration and training.
The programme will encourage students to take a multidisciplinary approach to addressing their research questions, working with members of the wider cohort to share ideas and resources.
Collaboration and scaling up the approach
In addition to building a positive research culture within the University of Nottingham, we are working with colleagues across the Russell Group network and learned societies (such as the British Pharmacological Society) to share best practice and enhance our collaborative links. With colleagues at Leicester University, we are establishing ECR career coaching groups to enhance diversity in biomedical careers. In collaboration with Oxford University, we are working to ensure we consider diversity at all stages of recruitment.
We are already experiencing the positive effects of our Team Science approach. ECRs have begun leading collaborations, bringing a diversity of thought and experience to the multidisciplinary team. This has led to more impactful outputs for everyone involved. Meanwhile, other doctoral training programmes are starting to adopt our approaches to recruitment and collaboration.
We see these as positive steps towards enhancing research culture both at the University of Nottingham and other institutions. As the Team Science approach becomes more widely adopted, we are optimistic about its potential to positively impact the culture of academic research.
Further reading:
Read the Russell Group's report: Realising Our Potential: Backing Talent and Strengthening UK Research Culture and Environment
Read 'Collegiality is the means to effective teamwork' by Tanita Casci and Miles Padgett from the University of Glasgow
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