LaPensee Elizabeth, Doshi Aalap, Salem Barbara, Jazdzyk Dianne, Steen Kaylee, Cantrell Mark, Somers Emily
Michigan Institute for Clinical & Health Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
Medical School Office of Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
J Clin Transl Sci. 2021 Jul 22;5(1):e184. doi: 10.1017/cts.2021.823. eCollection 2021.
Funding agencies are increasingly seeking team-based approaches to tackling complex research questions, but there is a need to mobilize translational teams and create shared visions and strategic action plans long before specific funding opportunities are considered or even released. This is particularly evident for teams who want to pursue large-scale grants, where cross-disciplinary synergy is often required. In response, we created Research Jams, which are engaging yet structured brainstorming sessions that bring together groups for the first time to collectively generate novel research ideas, critically map the future of initiatives, prioritize opportunities and next steps, and build community. Research Jams leveraged various aspects of design thinking, including divergence and convergence, visual thinking, and amplifying diversity. We piloted seven Research Jams for a collective 129 researchers, staff, and partners across 50 University of Michigan units and external organizations. Feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with the vast majority of survey respondents indicating that the sessions were helpful for surfacing shared ideas or visions and that opportunities emerged they would like to pursue. Research Jams were ideal for cross-disciplinary groups who wanted to collaboratively ideate and strategize around complex problems in translational research. Importantly, these models have the potential for implementation with groups in any disciplinary domain who want to spur collaborations to address challenging problems. Our ultimate goal is for Research Jams to be the first intervention within a comprehensive support pathway that extends from early brainstorming all the way to grant submission.
资助机构越来越倾向于采用基于团队的方法来解决复杂的研究问题，但早在考虑或发布具体的资助机会之前，就有必要动员转化研究团队，形成共同愿景和战略行动计划。对于那些希望申请大规模资助的团队来说，这一点尤为明显，因为这类资助通常需要跨学科的协同作用。作为回应，我们创建了“研究创意研讨会”，这是一种既有吸引力又有条理的头脑风暴会议，首次将各群体聚集在一起，共同产生新颖的研究想法，批判性地规划项目的未来，确定机会和后续步骤的优先级，并建立社区。“研究创意研讨会”利用了设计思维的各个方面，包括发散和收敛、视觉思维以及扩大多样性。我们针对密歇根大学50个单位和外部组织的129名研究人员、工作人员及合作伙伴开展了7次“研究创意研讨会”试点。反馈总体上是积极的，绝大多数调查受访者表示，这些会议有助于提出共同的想法或愿景，并且出现了他们希望追求的机会。“研究创意研讨会”对于那些希望围绕转化研究中的复杂问题进行合作构思和制定战略的跨学科团队来说非常理想。重要的是，这些模式有可能应用于任何学科领域中希望促进合作以解决具有挑战性问题的群体。我们的最终目标是让“研究创意研讨会”成为全面支持路径中的首个干预措施，该路径从早期头脑风暴一直延伸到资助申请提交。
