Strength in Numbers

Strategies for Collective Organization

Purpose

Individual researchers have limited power when navigating complex partnerships. If we are able to collectively strategize as a community, we can begin to re-balance the playing field.

As an introduction, we have compiled several best practices for rallying a community of researchers.

Rallying the Team  

Investigate and develop rapid response mechanisms.
Consider novel strategies for gaining support from fellow researchers.

Set Clear Boundaries for Participation

Agreeing on community terms of participation can guide how a collective with organize and act together.  
Develop your own clear sense of what is appropriate and inappropriate in terms of research partnerships and public event participation

Develop a Strong Understanding of Who to Trust

Consider your own trusted research partners: what are their intuitions about trusting corporations? Where to get advice?  

Consider Pre-Existing Community Norms

Are there corporations that your research community does not engage with?
What terms and guidelines do other researchers follow?
How does your position and experience change your ability to accept and reject certain terms?

Find Communities and Partnerships to Rely On

Reaching out to partners is essential.
Developing  best practices collaboratively with other researchers within the community is central to collectively organizing.
Each researcher has an important role to play in not only helping one another but relying on their community when they are in need.

Vulnerability

Remember, academics often believe they need to know it all. This makes us vulnerable.
Don't forget, other researchers will have experience in areas you may not know about. It can be useful to pulse those networks to learn more about a field or space you may not be familiar with.  

Our Advice for Researchers

Be skeptical

Be true to yourself

Reach out

Ask questions

Excitement and curiosity

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