6 - Collaboration, Authorship, and Networks

Summary

A fundamental part of the process of research is collaboration and networking. The rationale and benefits of working with others are manifold. In an increasingly integrative pursuit, which at the same time has seen a growth of individual specialization, collaboration promotes the pooling of resources and sharing of diverse expertise. Many breakthroughs can come from these integrative or multidisciplinary collaborations. From a human perspective, the process of research has a social component in which scientists collaborate and make meaningful friendships, but if not careful these can also result in unpleasant consequences. Nevertheless, during my more than 40 years of research, I have largely benefitted from rewarding collaborations as well as forming lasting friendships with colleagues.