Goals and possible outcomes

The primary goal of the workshop is to start the discussion and raise awareness by getting researchers and professional support staff together in one room collaboratively thinking about the skills and roles needed for effectively tackling complex research questions. Participants will leave with an increased awareness of the many skills, experiences and roles that contribute to the success of the research system.

For instance, during our first workshop at the 2022 Edition of the Netherlands National Open Science Festival, many insights were shared. Ideas such as the need for traditional support to move from ‘answer as questions come in’ towards embedding expertise within the faculty/school/group, based on the idea that if you build a relationship, you can achieve so much more than with central, anonymous support. And that what is needed for this is a change from project management thinking (finite, disconnected) to more integral programs and continuous change and value based working is needed. Project goals should be better linked to larger goals, which are often mentioned in the strategy of universities, but are not easy to find in the actual projects. Moreover, while discussing these kinds of new approaches, it is important to rethink how to successfully engage with other colleagues and build effective collaborations. For instance, values like shared ownership can help to engage larger teams; people then feel connected to the project as a whole, even when they are responsible for just a small task. Above all, all participants stressed the importance of appreciating everyone’s contributions.

By discussing these points with others in the workshop, participants are likely to start thinking differently about research teams and how these teams are supported, managed and rewarded. At least a small proportion of the participants may feel motivated to take this thinking further - either through specific actions within their own sphere of influence, and/or through engaging in broader activities aiming at enhanced cooperation, synergies, and transdisciplinary collaboration.

The topics discussed in the workshop are also directly relevant to the ongoing reform of research assessment and other current developments on recognition and rewards in academia. The workshop may help research performing institutions raise awareness and facilitate discussion on these topics.