An Ecological Approach to Evaluating Collaborative Practice in NSF Sponsored Partnership Projects: The SPARC Model

Area of Science:

• Higher Education Research
• Program Evaluation
• STEM Education

Background:

• Collaborative practice is integral to academic work, including grant-funded projects.
• Stakeholders may underestimate the importance of collaboration in partnership functioning.
• The National Science Foundation (NSF) Alliances for Graduate Education and the Professoriate (AGEP) program highlights the need for effective inter-institutional collaboration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present an evaluative model, the SPARC model, designed to enhance collaborative practice in funded academic partnerships.
• To emphasize the evidence-based benefits of collaborative practice across various outcome domains.
• To support the diversification of the professoriate, particularly for individuals from groups historically underrepresented in STEM fields.

Main Methods:

• Development of the SPARC (Sponsors, Program partners/participants, Assessment/evaluation professionals, academic researchers, Community) model.
• Mixed-methods program evaluation of a 4-year NSF AGEP alliance.
• Operationalization of the SPARC model with a checklist for assessing collaborative practice.

Main Results:

• Collaborative practice positively impacts partnership functioning, operational performance, and stakeholder well-being.
• Data from the AGEP alliance evaluation provided concrete examples and measurement of collaborative practices.
• Key themes emerged from each stakeholder group regarding the importance and implementation of collaborative practice.

Conclusions:

• The SPARC model provides a structured approach to designing and assessing collaborative practice in academic partnerships.
• Effective collaborative practice is essential for achieving program goals, including promoting diversity in the STEM professoriate.
• The model's checklist can assist stakeholders in optimizing collaboration for project success.