Competencies for integrated researchers

Beyond the attributes and skills you already have for being a good researcher integrated research calls for the following:

To be part of an integrated research team, it is useful if you:

• Have an ability to listen and communicate effectively and courteously
• Are open about the pros and cons of your own research approaches and accepting of other approaches
• Are flexible and prepared to try new things
• Are curious
• Are reflexive about what you do and the language you use
• Are willing to ‘go on a journey’
• Are okay with being challenged or being outside your comfort zone sometimes
• Are comfortable with emergence rather than nailing things down at the outset.

As well as these attributes, leaders of integrated research projects should:

• Have some understanding of a range of different disciplines and methods, their strengths and weaknesses
• Understand relevant methods and approaches for integrated research and approaches for creating impact from research
• Have a good understanding of the broader context of the research topic
• Be prepared to reach out beyond scientists
• Adopt an inclusive approach
• Try and use diversity in the team positively, but be prepared to deal with differences that could cause issues into the project
• Encourage reflexivity
• Be okay not fitting the current ‘norm’ of a research project
• Find out what drives your team members in terms of desired and required outcomes/outputs.