Evidence-Based Tools and Resources for Interdisciplinary Science Teams

Team Science

The power of interdisciplinary research teams has been recognized by NIH as a critical component of the Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) sites’ mission to advance the translational research pipeline and ultimately to improve public health. At ICTR, our program uses a Team Science framework to support the association of investigators from different departments and schools in the formation of effective, innovative teams composed of individuals with complementary expertise.

Our Team Science initiative will provide a wide array of training and support for trainees, staff, faculty, and teams engaged in translational research. Email ICTR Team Science

 

Meet the Team

Whitney Sweeney

Position title: Scientist

Allan Brasier

Position title: Executive Director

How We Can Help

Our team science experts can help investigators write specific sections of grants that apply to newly formed leadership teams or interdisciplinary collaborations. We can also provide custom training for your new or existing research group.

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Collaboration Planning

The ICTR Team Science program is now offering Collaboration Planning services to new teams or existing teams embarking on a new project or research direction. Collaboration Planning is a 90-minute facilitated session that helps teams proactively think through how to address potential issues of collaboration. Based on work by team-science experts at the NCI and NSF, Collaboration Planning focuses on 7 areas where teams are most likely to experience challenges that can derail a team’s scientific progress.

For more information, including how to request a session, see the Team Science Collaboration Planning web page.

Team Science Training for Individuals and Teams

Our evidence-based Team Science Workshops provide training in the skills essential for high-performing teams. We design, deliver, and evaluate workshops for a variety of interdisciplinary audiences, including undergrad and graduate students, postdoctoral trainees, faculty, and staff. In addition, all ICTR KL2 Scholars and TL1 trainees receive Team Science training as part of their program curriculum. Our training programs include:

Translational Team (TT) Training Program

The 90-120-minute sessions include:

  • Forming Successful Research Team
  • Psychological Safety and Team Success
  • Successful Team Communication
  • Setting Your Science Team Up for (Measuring) Success
  • Leading Your Team To Success

See our recent publication on the TT Training Program: Sweeney et al., 2023.

LASER (Leadership and Skills Enhancement for Research) Series

KL2 scholars participate in a three-part LASER workshop series to help develop their leadership skills. The LASER series is based on the three phases of translational team evolution (see our recent publication, Brasier et al 2023): Team Formation; Knowledge Generation; and Translation.

The Power of Inclusive Teams

We are also developing a fourth LASER module on The Power of Inclusive Teams, which explores the value of psychological safety and inclusive leadership to high-performing teams. It is based on a presentation of the same name we delivered at UW’s Diversity Forum in 2023, which is available to watch on YouTube.

Writing Team-Science Grants

For individuals who are applying for a team-based grant, we can help you with your proposal, including assistance with:

  • Developing multi-PI plans
  • Responding to team-based review criteria
  • Creating collaboration management sections
  • Negotiating governance plans, including authorship and publication policies, communication strategies, and committee charters
  • Facilitating interdisciplinary conversations, especially for NSF proposals that focus on “integrated research.”

Want to Learn More About Team Science?

Team Science Publications

A reading list of selected publications authored by our ICTR Team Science Core.

Team Science Publications