COLLABORATING WITH THE COMMUNITY: THE EXTRA-TERRITORIAL TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH TEAM

Area of Science:

• Environmental Health
• Translational Science
• Team Science

Background:

• Current team science models often perceive teams as fixed structures, limiting external participation.
• Translational science typically integrates external collaborators through dependent roles.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose the Extra-Territorial Research Team (ETRT) as a more inclusive and flexible model for team science.
• To reframe the concept of a research team from a static object to a dynamic process focused on managing relationships.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative analysis of a case study involving an environmental health assessment after an offshore oil disaster.
• Examining the impact of translational science principles on team dynamics and collaboration.

Main Results:

• The ETRT model demonstrated effective relationship management through shared adventure, community-based meetings, and open access for diverse participants.
• Successful integration of lay and institutional scientists, emergency managers, and interdisciplinary knowledge (public health, environmental toxicology, coastal culture).

Conclusions:

• The ETRT model offers a dynamic and inclusive strategy for mobilizing and integrating diverse knowledge and skills.
• This approach is particularly effective for comprehensive science and service responses during crises, such as environmental disasters.