Early-Career Coordinated Distributed Experiments: Empowerment Through Collaboration

Abstract

These authors contributed equally to the development of this work. The rest of the authors are listed in random order. AbstractCoordinated 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 re-allocation and communication strategies.

Collaborative Projects: Unleashing Early Career Scientists’ Power

“…Hence, achieving individual recognition for their work is one of the most critical challenges for ECRs. In recent years, the Iberian Association of Limnology (AIL i ) and the European Federation for Freshwater Sciences (EFFS ii ) have initiated pioneering calls for collaborative projects exclusively managed and conducted by ECRs [4][5][6]. The aim of these research calls was not only to boost innovative science [7] but also to provide peer-collaboration platforms among scientists at the beginning of their careers.…”

“…Strengths and challenges of pioneer projects -Collaborative projects among ECRs offer many beneficial aspects that boost researchers' careers in the early stages. Based on the survey among the participants of DOMIPEX [5] and EuroRun, the main highlights identified were learning new concepts and methods as well as network development (Fig. 2a) (Fig.…”