Collaborative research
Researchers frequently collaborate with colleagues both within the University and external to the University. Inevitably, such collaborations have the potential to present challenges arising from complex roles and relationships, divergent interests, dissimilar management styles and differing disciplinary and cultural interpretations.
Clear communication is essential to effective collaborations. Collaborative projects should have effective management plans, agreed upon prior to commencement of a project, which cover:
Research roles and responsibilities
Resource-sharing
Disclosure of conflicts of interest
Training and supervision
Compliance with all funder and regulatory matters relevant to the project
Attention to these issues at the outset of a collaboration can help to ensure that such projects run smoothly and potentially avoid problems downstream.