Team Science
“The fundamental characteristics and attributes required to be a successful translational scientist go beyond the competencies of existing individual disciplines and include a broad understanding of the translational spectrum, the full embrace of a team science approach to research, and a focus on developing innovative solutions to persistent problems in translation, among others.”
– The Fundamental Characteristics of a Translational Scientist
About Team Science
“Team science is a collaborative effort to address a scientific challenge that leverages the strengths and expertise of professionals, oftentimes trained in different fields.” Team science enables innovative and creative problem-solving by bringing together team members from various disciplines who hold diverse perspectives and hail from a range of backgrounds. However, this approach presents unique challenges in settings that are structured around traditional science team dynamics. These differences impact many aspects, from operational and administrative differences between institutions to project managing complex dependencies.
Team science is frequently used to describe the work that happens in large, highly integrated teams and centers, but the principles apply to teams of any size and composition. Whether you are preparing to join a research team, building and leading a new team of your own, or interested in learning new ways to contribute to your current team, honing your team science skills can increase your and your team’s potential scientific impact.
Skills for Engaging in Team Science
Functional research teams are effective in two key critical dimensions: the task dimension and the interpersonal dimension. The task dimension refers to the what, or the specific work the team is completing together. The interpersonal dimension involves the how, or the practices that define the relationships among team members (PDF).
Individuals and teams can improve their effectiveness on both the task and interpersonal dimensions by honing team science skills in the following areas:
- Developing effective systems for managing complex projects
- Establishing clear roles and expectations
- Defining clear metrics and milestones for success
- Establishing collaboration agreements to standardize expectations
- Knowing and adopting your unique communication style
- Advocating on behalf of yourself and your team
- Building and fostering trust
- Creating safe spaces for productive, respectful disagreement
- Establishing and communicating a shared vision
- Assembling a diverse team and managing differences
- Implementing fair and equitable management practices
- Embracing a culture of mentorship that is mutually beneficial
- Seeking mentorship within and beyond your team to support your growth and development
- Regularly assessing mentoring relationships to identify evolving needs
Training for Team Science
Harvard Catalyst Education offers many training resources, courses, and longitudinal programs to support the professional development of translational investigators and research team members. While team science skills are woven throughout, we offer the following resources that are specifically designed to help you and your team hone the skills described above.
- Project Management Strategies for Research Team Members (Webinar series): Learn foundational principles of project management and practical examples of how to apply them within your research team.
- Leadership Strategies for the Researcher (In-Person course): For investigators managing teams: Explore leadership fundamentals, including best practices in leading and managing a team, as well as navigating a research career.
- Leadership Essentials for Staff on Research Teams (In-Person course): For new and emerging leaders in administrative roles: Learn overarching principles and practical strategies for leading and sustaining highly functional teams.
- Essential Skills for Conducting Clinical & Translational Research (On-Demand course): Understand the roles and responsibilities of research team members, and learn how to effectively participate, collaborate, and communicate within a research team and with key stakeholders.
- Mentorship in Clinical and Translational Research (Digital guide): Explore guidance and exercises to help you understand your mentoring needs, build a mentoring network, and cultivate and assess mentoring relationships.
- The Developmental Network Exercise will help you understand who you already have in your network, as well as identify gaps in support.
- Mentoring Agreement Templates provide space for articulating goals, expectations, and boundaries within mentoring relationships (one-on-one or within groups).
- Facilitation guidance is provided for those interested in creating mentoring programs within their groups.
- Career Catalyst (Longitudinal program): For early-stage Investigators: Connect with a developmental mentor and a small group of peer mentors through structured monthly meetings and program events.
Tools to Catalyze Team Science
Harvard Catalyst offers many tools that enable team science – from identifying collaborators to navigating science conducted at multiple sites.
- Profiles: An Interactive database of Harvard faculty and their publications, which can be used to network and find collaborators.
- Smart IRB: A platform designed to ease common challenges associated with initiating multisite research and to provide a roadmap for institutions to implement the NIH Single IRB Review policy.
- Catalyst Connect: Our searchable catalogue of research resources from Harvard Catalyst and affiliates, which is updated regularly.
Additional Resources
The following resources and frameworks articulate the skills, competencies, and principles for engaging in translational research endeavours. Each of these highlights the importance of both scientific expertise and effective teamwork skills to ensure success for all members of a translational team.
- Collaboration and Team Science: A Field Guide (PDF): An open-access, comprehensive guide for anyone engaged in team science – from those considering a career in translational science to those who are actively building and managing teams. This guide includes case studies and templates for practical implementation.
- The Fundamental Characteristics of a Translational Scientist: A model that unpacks seven fundamental characteristics and roles of translational scientists: boundary crosser, team player, rigorous researcher, process innovator, domain expert, skilled communicator, and systems thinker.
- NIH/NCATS Translational Science Principles: A broad set of scientific and operational principles derived from case studies of successful translational research teams.
- Joint Task Force for Clinical Trial Competency: Competency Domains for the Clinical Research Professional: A framework that defines the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary for conducting safe, ethical, and high-quality clinical research, including domains for leadership and professionalism, and communications and teamwork.
- Core Competencies in Clinical and Translational Research: Produced by the CTSA Education Core Competency Working Group, this competency framework includes 14 thematic areas ranging from study design to teamwork and cross-disciplinary training.
Additional Support
We consult with individuals and teams to help identify training needs and navigate available educational resources. Contact us to schedule a consultation.