A Social Network Analysis Approach to Diagnosing and Improving the Functioning of Transdisciplinary Teams in Public Health

  • Sarah Gehlert, PhD The George Warren Brown School of Social Work, Washington University, St. Louis, MO, USA; The Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University, St. Louis, MO, USA; 3Center for Public Health Systems Science, Washington University, St. Louis, MO, USA
  • Bobbi J. Carothers, PhD Center for Public Health Systems Science, Washington University, St. Louis, MO, USA
  • Jung Ae Lee, PhD Division of Public Health Sciences, Department of Surgery, Washington University, St. Louis, MO, USA
  • Jefferson Gill, PhD Department of Political Science, Washington University, St. Louis, MO, USA
  • Douglas Luke, PhD The George Warren Brown School of Social Work, Washington University, St. Louis, MO, USA; Center for Public Health Systems Science, Washington University, St. Louis, MO, USA
  • Graham Colditz, MD, PhD The Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University, St. Louis, MO, USA; Division of Public Health Sciences, Department of Surgery, Washington University, St. Louis, MO, USA
DOI: https://doi.org/10.22545/2015/00070
Keywords: transdisciplinary research team, social network analysis, transdisciplinary assessment

Abstract

Background: The National Cancer Institute’s Transdisciplinary Research in Energetics and Cancer initiative is in its second round of funding. Despite increasing agreement that transdisciplinary team-based research is valuable in addressing complex problems like energy balance and cancer, methods for constructing and maintaining transdisciplinary teams is lacking.

Purpose: We articulate a method for assessing transdisciplinary teams that relies on social network analysis and using this knowledge to improve their functioning.

Methods: Using data from the Washington University TREC site in 2011 and 2013, we demonstrate the use of social network analysis to assess and provide feedback on team functioning.

Results: We portray broker functioning in both years. By 2013, the director and co-director had begun to share broker functions with other members. Some brokers fostered communication with less central network members.

Conclusions: The information obtained can help to train a new generation of investigators to optimally participate on transdisciplinary research teams.

Published
2015-01-01
How to Cite
Gehlert, PhD, S., Carothers, PhD, B. J., Lee, PhD, J. A., Gill, PhD, J., Luke, PhD, D., & Colditz, MD, PhD, G. (2015). A Social Network Analysis Approach to Diagnosing and Improving the Functioning of Transdisciplinary Teams in Public Health. Transdisciplinary Journal of Engineering & Science, 6. https://doi.org/10.22545/2015/00070
Issue
Vol 6 (2015)
Section
Articles