Early-Career Coordinated Distributed Experiments: Empowerment Through Collaboration

Abstract

Coordinated distributed experiments (CDEs) enable the study of large-scale ecological patterns in geographically dispersed areas, while simultaneously providing broad academic and personal benefits for the participants. However, the effective involvement of early-career researchers (ECRs) presents major challenges. Here, we analyze the benefits and challenges of the first CDE exclusively led and conducted by ECRs (i.e. ECR-CDE), which sets a baseline for similar CDEs, and we provide recommendations for successful CDE execution. ECR-CDEs achieve most of the outcomes identified in conventional CDEs as well as extensive benefits for the young cohort of researchers, including: (i) receiving scientific credit, (ii) peer-training in new concepts and methods, (iii) developing leadership and communication skills, (iv) promoting a peer network among ECRs, and (v) building on individual engagement and independence. We also discuss the challenges of ECR-CDEs, which are mainly derived from the lack of independence and instability of the participants, and we suggest mechanisms to address them, such as resource reallocation and communication strategies. We conclude that ECR-CDEs can be a relevant tool to empower ECRs across disciplines by fostering their training, networking and personal well-being.

Researchers in Argentina: Scientific vocation, publication strategies and time‐management tactics

“…• Seek opportunities to carry out stays abroad with other research groups to interact with regional (Likens & Lindenmeyer 2011;Anderson et al 2012;Pastor et al 2020) or global research networks (M€ uller 2012). Promote framework agreements among institutions and facilitate access to scholarships for short-term research stays in Argentina or abroad is a way to support this (Ortlieb & Weiss 2018).…”

“…Peer interaction not only had a positive influence but was also selected as new idea stimulator. Doing science now is not a solitary activity, which is evidenced by an increase in the number of authors per article (Baethge 2008), and collaborating is recommended for early-career researchers (Pastor et al 2020). Work-team had a positive influence and was career stage independent, which was identified as a key to having a positive doctoral or postdoctoral experience (Scaffidi & Berman 2011;Virtanen et al 2017).…”

Towards women-inclusive ecology: Representation, behavior, and perception of women at an international conference

“…Examples of these initiatives include adopting a Code of Conduct, such as the ones of the European Geosciences Union (EGU https://www.egu.eu/ about/code-of-conduct/) or the Society for Freshwater Science (SFS) Meeting (https:// sfsannualmeeting.org/) support for child care, or spaces equipped to accommodate the needs of nursing mothers [65]. In addition, the organization of training courses on gender bias or gender inclusive language [66], creating mentor-mentees programs [63] or fostering collaboration among early-career or women researchers [67] can contribute to avoid gender imbalances.…”

Benefits, Challenges, and Opportunities for International Research Collaborations: Perspectives from the Limnology and Oceanography Research Exchange

“…IRCs provide students with unique opportunities for new research and personal experiences Additionally, it allows professional growth, cultural awareness, networking, and development of new skills that graduate students would not normally have at their home institutions (Pastor et al 2020). Throughout the planning stages of the LOREX program, the international research exchange period, and upon return from the program, students are forced to explore possibilities outside of their comfort zone which in the long‐term can benefit their personal growth and professional career inside and outside of academia.…”