Category Archives: Collaborating

Building bridges among lab groups

Posted on August 17, 2015 by Joan E. Strassmann

Some of the comments on lab group separation, mostly on Twitter or Facebook, not here, hoped for an explanation of the reasons for separation, or thoughts on the fixes for this. Here’s an effort in that direction. We might think … Continue reading →

Posted in Collaborating, Collaboration, Department politics, Managing an academic career | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

How to collaborate successfully

Posted on June 21, 2014 by Joan E. Strassmann

Successful collaboration is essential for a productive research career for most people. With collaborators we can tackle bigger problems. With collaborators we can see old problems in new ways, or find a path where before were only cliffs. With collaborators … Continue reading →

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Why homogeneity is not required for cooperation

Posted on May 4, 2014 by Joan E. Strassmann

Sometimes you need homogeneity for cooperation. Imagine two horses pulling a cart. The job will simply go more smoothly if they have similar sizes, gaits, and strengths. Other times the opposite of homogeneity is optimal. In lichens the fungus and … Continue reading →

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Communication up is better than communication down

Posted on May 7, 2013 by Joan E. Strassmann

A research lab group is a complex mix of partly independent individuals of varying research levels attempting to do something new. There is usually a power and information inequity because the laboratory leader controls much of the funding, has more … Continue reading →

Posted in Collaborating, Experimental design, Group leadership | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment