Collaboration
This theme is all about making collaborations feel easier, smoother and more effective. How can we support meaningful engagement and lasting collaboration, focusing on how we exchange knowledge effectively, learn from one another, and build sustainable, long-term partnerships across the DRI landscape.
Browse all resources under the theme of collaboration below, or filter via keyword:
Resources
💬 Agree on how you communicate
It can be frustrating to send a message that doesn't get checked. Decide what platform to mainly use (i.e. Slack, email, Mattermost) early to reduce friction and stress.
📝 Share early thoughts and work
Don't be nervous about sharing rough drafts or unfinished ideas. They often get better feedback than polished versions shared too late.
🔥 Don't let the awkwardness marinate
Small annoyances can become big collaboration blockers. Talk about problems while they're still little adjustable things.
📱 Leave the tech behind
Science communication skills can be so important to learn how to distil your knowledge into the key concepts for others. Move away from the technical intricacies and think 'What do they actually need to know?'
📚 Revisit the plan
A good collaboration plan is not fixed forever. Check in regularly: are your goals, timelines and ways of working still helping you move forward?
✨ Save the coffee chats
Some of the best ideas appear when you're not staring at a shared document. Make time for the informal conversations where you make friends with your collaborators.
🔍 Share goals!
Collaborate with those people who share your same interests
✨ Ask everyone for adjustments by default
Normalise adjustments early in processes so participation needs are expected, not exceptions.
🎨 Hybrid is a team sport
A hybrid collaboration won't magically work itself out. Think carefully about how everyone can join in, not just who happens to be in the room.
📌 Emded accessibility
Ask about accessibility requirements as part of standard sign-ups, so adjustments are expected rather than treated as special cases.
📚 Using slide decks for semi structured group discussions
One person presents their slides but instead of rattling through the lot, stop after each slide and have a group discussion. Best with a smaller engaged audience.
How to do effective knowledge exchange
A guide about designing knowledge exchange activities with purpose, funding and outcomes in mind
collaboration
Best Practice Guidance for Successful CAKE Placements & Visits
This guidance is intended to support both applicants and hosts in achieving successful placements and visits.
collaboration
engagement-and-participation
Oops did we do it right? Lessons from Successful Collaborations
At the SSI Collaborations Workshop 2026, Eleanor Broadway and Eva Fernandez-Amez ran a session exploring how to design and support successful collaborations. This is the write-up from that session, capturing the experiences, challenges and advice shared by participants.
collaboration
events
Guidance on Virtual Placements
Advice on how to make the most of a virtual placement - a great alternative if you are unable to commit to working from a different place for an extended amount of time.
collaboration
engagement-and-participation
inclusion
The Turing Way
Welcome to The Turing Way handbook to reproducible, ethical and collaborative data science.
community-building
tools
collaboration
Ten simple rules for scientists engaging in science communication
A journal exploring science communication and 10 simple rules for planning, developing, and evaluating science communication activities.
professional-development
collaboration
outreach-and-advocacy
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