Project Name: Identification of Barriers to Collaboration
Key Findings: The most commonly reported barriers for teams are administrative regulations, organizational culture and structures, interpersonal communication issues, time allocation, funding restrictions, disciplinary differences, and geographical proximity.
Methods: I conducted a social network analysis of scientific collaboration networks, text analysis, 32 semi-structured interviews with researchers, and survey of 914 faculty members.
Applications: Identifying barriers at an organizational and department level helps to improve team effectiveness.
Presentation: Kennelly Okraku, Therese and McCarty, Christopher. “Barriers to Scientific Collaboration at a Research University.” Society for Applied Anthropology (SFAA) Annual Meeting, Vancouver, Canada. April 1, 2016.
Presentation: Muzyczka, Kelly, Kennelly Okraku, Therese, and McCarty, Christopher. “Benefits and Challenges of Interdisciplinary Collaboration as an Anthropolgist.” Society for Applied Anthropology (SFAA). March 30, 2017.
Project Name: Impact of Tenure and Promotion Criteria on Teams
Key Findings: Current evaluation criteria emphasize individual achievements and do not recognize or reward team’s collective efforts. This disincentives collaboration and requires revision.
Methods: I conducted a social network analysis of tenure and promotion activities across colleges, text analysis of faculty activity reports and tenure and promotion documents across colleges and departments, 30 semi-structured interviews with researchers, and a survey of 914 faculty members.
Applications: Evaluating workplace promotion criteria is critical for supporting teams and encouraging collaboration.
Below is a presentation that analyzes the university’s tenure and promotion process using social network analysis that advocates increased recognition for team science:
Below is a presentation that provides data on the university’s current annual evaluation system and advocates that a common form should be adopted across colleges:
Dr. Therese Kennelly Okraku 