How can you use economic research collaboration to promote growth?

1 Benefits of collaboration

Collaborating in economic research can bring many benefits to you and your partners, such as improving research skills and productivity by learning from and combining different perspectives, methods, and data. It can also increase research visibility and reputation by publishing in high-quality journals, presenting at conferences, and engaging with media and policy makers. In addition, it can expand research funding and resources by applying for grants, scholarships, or fellowships that require or favor collaborative projects. Moreover, it can build your research network and career opportunities by establishing connections with potential mentors, colleagues, or employers in different institutions, sectors, or countries. Furthermore, it can solve real-world problems and create social value by addressing relevant economic issues that affect your community, region, or the world.

2 Types of collaboration

Economic research collaboration can take various forms and levels, depending on your research goals, interests, and resources. For example, co-authorship is when you work with one or more researchers to produce a research paper or report. Co-investigation involves participating in a larger research project or program with multiple researchers, institutions, or organizations. Additionally, co-production is engaging with non-academic stakeholders to co-create and co-implement research solutions. Lastly, co-learning is sharing and exchanging knowledge, insights, and feedback with other researchers or learners through seminars, workshops, courses, or online platforms.

3 Steps for collaboration

Careful planning, communication, and management are necessary for a successful and sustainable economic research collaboration. To initiate and conduct a collaborative research project, you should first identify your research question and objectives: what do you want to achieve with your research and why is it important? Then, find potential partners who can help you answer your question and reach your goals. After that, define roles and responsibilities for each partner. Establish expectations, rules, and norms of the collaboration. Finally, execute the research plan by collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data; then disseminate and apply the research findings and recommendations.

4 Challenges of collaboration

Economic research collaboration can also present some challenges and risks that you need to be aware of and address, such as cultural and linguistic differences, logistical and technical difficulties, ethical and legal issues, and quality and impact assessment. You must consider how to overcome the barriers and misunderstandings that may arise from working with people from diverse backgrounds; how to cope with the constraints and complications that may affect your research activities; how to ensure your research complies with ethical and legal standards; and how to measure and evaluate the quality and impact of your research collaboration.

5 Best practices for collaboration

Economic research collaboration can be a rewarding and enriching experience if you are clear about your research vision and values, open and respectful to your partners, flexible and adaptable to your context, and reflective and proactive in your learning. When considering your research interests, passions, and motivations, it is important to appreciate and leverage the diversity and complementarity of your partners. You should also be prepared to adjust and respond to changes in the research environment, as well as balance your expectations with those of your partners. Finally, it is essential to learn from the collaboration and its outputs, as well as apply and share the learning with others.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?