During the second annual Pediatric Research Day hosted on October 7th, faculty, researchers, and students across the CU Anschutz campus joined together to discuss collaboration in pediatric health sciences research.
The event – co-hosted by the University of Colorado Anschutz’s Department of Pediatrics, Colorado Child Health Research Institute (CCHRI), and the Adult & Child Center for Outcomes Research & Delivery Science (ACCORDS) – featured an hour-long panel conversation among six faculty members representing various disciplines ranging from nursing to radiology to endocrinology.
The panel’s discussion, moderated by ACCORDS Director, Jerica M. Berge, PhD, MPH, professor of family medicine and director of the Healthy Eating and Activity across the Lifespan (HEAL) Lab at the CU Anschutz School of Medicine, revolved around collaborative teams in science.
During the conversation, panelists shared their top advice for anybody looking to be part of a collaborative team in health science. They underscored important topics including relationship building, why learning new skills is beneficial, and how mindset plays a healthy role in team settings.
Relationship building emerged as a core tenet of the discussion, one that Berge called attention to when asked what advice she had for those interested in collaborative teams.
“The success of any research collaboration is directly related to the strength of the relationship and trust built between the partners,” she said. “Make sure to take the time at the beginning of the collaboration to build this trust for a more effective and sustainable study.”
As part of the work in building relationships, Teri Hernandez, PhD, professor and Associate Dean of Research and Scholarship at the CU Anschutz College of Nursing, highlighted the role of engaging in active listening with your team.
“Learn how to listen and engage in deep listening with your collaborators,” Hernandez said.
When it comes to collaborative teams in science, multiple panelists recalled what they’ve learned through their experiences. Laura Brown, MD, professor of neonatology, spoke about the critical role leaders play within collaborative teams. “Maintain a degree of selflessness when leading others,” Brown said. “Put them and their interests first.”
Meanwhile, Mónica Pérez Jolles, PhD, MA, associate professor of pediatrics and ACCORDS faculty member, raised the importance of defining roles and acknowledging contributions when working within collaborative teams in science and research.
“Protect and give credit to your ideas and your contributions,” Jolles said. “And be very clear about your roles within a team.”
Collaboration skills are something to be learned, panelists said.
“Recognize collaboration is not an innate skill,” said Melanie Cree, MD, PhD, professor of endocrinology and director of the Multi-disciplinary PCOS Clinic at Children’s Hospital Colorado. “There are courses you can take and books you can read to build your skills in collaboration.”
Joel Stoddard, MD, associate professor of psychiatry, offered an even simpler way to start: “If you really want to learn about collaboration, go to any bookstore, pick up the best HR book you can find on the topic, and read it.”
Like many other skills, collaboration begins with the right mindset, as Alex Barker, PhD, professor and director of the CU Anschutz Advanced Imaging Lab noted.
“Have an open mind. Know your values and know who you’re working with. Have flexibility, both with time and with setting aside your own prejudices. Remember: one success can yield great benefits,” Barker said.
The panel agreed that pediatric health sciences research is best achieved through teamwork and collaboration. Whether it's finding the right head space, seeking out helpful resources, or knowing your role and setting boundaries, there's always room for improvement for the sake of the team and the work.