Embracing Inclusive Collaboration for Research Excellence

Posted on: 15 March 2024 by Alys Kay (Number of words: 207; Read time: 1 minute, 2 seconds) in Blog posts

Portrait of Alys Kay
Alys Kay

Alys Kay, Senior Researcher Developer (Leadership) for Thrive and Career Coach, discusses the power of inclusive collaboration in research.

Postgraduate researchers, technicians, professional services, and other collaborators all play integral roles in the research ecosystem. Together, they possess immense potential to drive groundbreaking discoveries and societal impact through collaboration. However, traditional research paradigms often fail to fully harness this collective potential, overlooking the strength of interdisciplinary cooperation, across sector, role and career stage. 

In this era of constant flux and uncertainty, embracing a culture of collaboration becomes paramount for all stakeholders in research. It's about fostering an environment where every voice is valued, every contribution is appreciated, and every perspective is respected. Collaboration becomes the cornerstone of resilience, enabling researchers at all career stages to navigate complexities and drive innovation forward.

A diverse group of researchers collaborating around a table, symbolizing inclusive collaboration across sectors and career stages.

The Thrive Project stands as a beacon of this collaborative ethos, pioneering a new approach to research that prioritises inclusivity, diversity, and research excellence. By bringing together postgraduate researchers, technicians, professional services, and other collaborators, we're creating a dynamic collaborative model where ideas can flourish, innovations can thrive, and meaningful change can take root. 

Join us in unlocking the power of collaborative research at our upcoming workshop as part of Making an Impact 2024. Together, let's explore dynamic collaborative models, refine our collaboration skills, and champion diversity in research. Let's unite the brilliance of the entire research community to shape a brighter future for all. 'Thrive Together: Reshaping Collaboration' is taking place on 7th June 2024, 13:30-15:00 BST in person at the University of Liverpool. Find out more and reserve your place here:

https://MAI24ThriveTogether.eventbrite.co.uk

About the author

Alys Kay is a Senior Researcher Developer (Leadership) with a passion for fostering collaboration and driving positive change. With over 20 years of experience in Researcher and Leadership Development, Instructional Design, and photography, Alys brings a wealth of expertise to the Thrive team. Alys leads the co-design of leadership development events, facilitates collaborative working with stakeholders, and designs development conferences. Outside of work, Alys enjoys photography and flower gardening. Connect with Alys on LinkedIn or visit their website for more information. Website: https://www.alyskay.co.uk/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alys-kay/ Email: Alys.Kay@liverpool.ac.uk 

Further Reading

  • Website: Thrive Blog: Insights from Thrive's co-design workshops aiming to redefine research collaboration.  
  • Podcast: Research Culture Uncovered, this episode discusses how a large collaborative research culture successfully improved inclusion and impact of their collaborative efforts, highlighting key factors contributing to their successes. http://tinyurl.com/h2be7aft available on platforms like Spotify or Apple Podcasts. 
  • Paper: Dive deeper into creating and maintaining shared leadership in academia http://tinyurl.com/2cz2m3fv. 
  • Video: Ted Talk Playlist The Power of Collaboration