Special 16 June 2021

How to collaborate in science

Science is a team effort, often straddling disciplines and regions. Research collaborations can foster greater understanding, respect trust and knowledge. These resources offer examples of how to keep collaborations harmonious and ensure that due credit is fairly assigned.

Articles

Meaningful collaborations can end ‘helicopter research’

Instead of flying in, collecting samples and leaving, scientists should treat local people as partners, and think fair instead of charitable when it comes to authorship.
- Fernanda Adame
Career Column29 Jun 2021 Nature
Better together: collaborative spaces can inspire scientists of all ages

An area where researchers can gather and informally discuss ideas is the best way to produce innovative inventions, argues Ethan N. Gotian.
- Ethan N. Gotian
Career Column18 Jun 2021 Nature
Research collaborations bring big rewards: the world needs more

A special issue on COVID-era research collaboration highlights the benefits to science and society of working across borders, cultures and disciplines.

Editorial16 Jun 2021 Nature
COVID has shown the power of science–industry collaboration

But a thriving relationship needs clearer rules around data ownership and intellectual property – and public trust in the process.

Editorial16 Jun 2021 Nature
How the COVID pandemic is changing global science collaborations

The pandemic and political tensions might slow the march towards more globalized science.
- Brendan Maher
- Richard Van Noorden
News Feature16 Jun 2021 Nature
Community–academic partnerships helped Flint through its water crisis

A city that faced a public-health emergency shows how collaborations with neighbourhood advocates can advance health equity.
- E. Yvonne Lewis
- Richard C. Sadler
Comment15 Jun 2021 Nature
A white-knuckle ride of open COVID drug discovery

In early 2020, a spontaneous global collaboration came together to design a new, urgent antiviral treatment. There are lessons in what happened next.
- Frank von Delft
- Mark Calmiano
- Annette von Delft
Comment14 Jun 2021 Nature
The authorship rows that sour scientific collaborations

Team science suffers when junior researchers see their career-defining contributions to a paper downplayed. Here’s how to tackle disputes.
- Nic Fleming
Career Feature14 Jun 2021 Nature
‘We need to talk’: ways to prevent collaborations breaking down

Scientists who plan to partner on a research project should identify pressure points and consider a team charter at the outset.
- Virginia Gewin
Career Feature15 Jun 2021 Nature
Tapping local knowledge to save a Papua New Guinea forest

Villagers who know the land help Jason Paliau to survey the region’s insects.
- Chris Woolston
Where I Work14 Jun 2021 Nature
Communities, COVID and credit: the state of science collaborations

The pros and pitfalls of collaboration, with insights from researchers and beyond.
- Benjamin Thompson
- David Payne
Nature Podcast16 Jun 2021 Nature
China and the UK: Making an international collaboration work

Working across continents brings practical and cultural challenges
- Shamini Bundell
Nature Video16 Jun 2021 Nature

How to collaborate in science

Articles

Meaningful collaborations can end ‘helicopter research’

Better together: collaborative spaces can inspire scientists of all ages

Research collaborations bring big rewards: the world needs more

COVID has shown the power of science–industry collaboration

How the COVID pandemic is changing global science collaborations

Community–academic partnerships helped Flint through its water crisis

A white-knuckle ride of open COVID drug discovery

The authorship rows that sour scientific collaborations

‘We need to talk’: ways to prevent collaborations breaking down

Tapping local knowledge to save a Papua New Guinea forest

Communities, COVID and credit: the state of science collaborations

China and the UK: Making an international collaboration work

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