What do you do if your research collaboration is falling apart?

Identifying issues in a project is crucial for success. Implement regular check-ins and use project management software to track progress and address challenges proactively. Foster open communication to facilitate quick problem-solving and ensure project milestones are met efficiently.

Communicate openly with your collaborators to identify and address the issues. Re-establish clear goals, roles, and responsibilities. If necessary, involve a mediator to facilitate discussions and find common ground. Ensure regular check-ins to maintain progress and alignment.

Begin by identifying the root causes of the collaboration breakdown. This could range from communication issues to conflicting research methodologies or personal differences. For example, if there's a lack of clarity on project goals or roles within the team, it can lead to frustration and disengagement.

Initiate an open and honest dialogue with your collaborators to address the identified issues. Create a safe space where everyone can express their concerns and perspectives. For instance, schedule a meeting or video conference where each team member can share their thoughts on what's causing the collaboration to falter.

Establish clear boundaries and expectations for the collaboration moving forward. This involves defining roles, responsibilities, and timelines to ensure everyone is on the same page. For example, outline specific tasks and deadlines for each team member to prevent confusion and overlap.

Develop a concrete plan to address the issues identified and move the collaboration forward. This plan should include actionable steps, timelines, and accountability measures. For instance, if there are disagreements about research methodologies, brainstorm potential compromises or alternative approaches that can satisfy everyone's needs.

If the issues persist despite efforts to resolve them internally, consider seeking mediation from a neutral third party. This could be a trusted mentor, advisor, or professional mediator with experience in research collaborations. They can help facilitate constructive conversations and find mutually beneficial solutions.

After implementing solutions and resolving conflicts, take time to reflect on the experience and extract lessons learned. This could involve evaluating what worked well, what could have been done differently, and how to prevent similar issues in future collaborations. For instance, conduct a post-mortem meeting with your team to discuss what went right and areas for improvement.

9 times out of ten it's probably your fault. At least that's what I've learned so far. Sometimes we forget that there's no "common sense" there's only common experiences and perspectives. It hurts the ego, (at least it hurst mine anyway), but sometimes the best course of action is to determine how you can improve going forward.