Advancing the Development of Collaborative Research Networks to Enhance Aging Research Value

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Just as geriatric care is complex, with better outcomes associated with collaboration among practitioners of differing specialties, research is likely to be more impactful when performed collaboratively. Furthermore, diversity in research collaboration can increase research quality, however diversity among the geriatrics scientific workforce has not kept pace with a rapidly diversifying population. In spite of a proliferation of consortia, fostering diverse interprofessional collaboration (IPC) networks remains a significant barrier for providers and researchers alike. While strategies to enhance IPC in care have been investigated, IPC in aging research, and specifically in consortia, has not been explored. The objective of this study is to investigate how to maximize the impact of consortia on aging research value by identifying barriers to engagement in IPC, assessing the effect of consortium membership on diversity in collaborative networks, and determining factors contributing to effective and productive collaborations. There is limited information regarding how participation in a consortium influences development of collaborative behaviors, factors that contribute to successful connections, or how to overcome in-group favoritism to bring together more diverse collaborators. To achieve increased diversity and IPC in aging research we need a greater understanding of what factors represent barriers to IPC in the research community and how to increase connection of diverse researchers within consortia. I propose using three consortia as a “laboratory” to collect formative data necessary to understand individual and environmental factors that contribute to collaborative research behaviors. I will perform a mixed- methods study using a combination of longitudinal surveys, interviews, and social network analysis (SNA) to assess the impact of diversity in IPC on research productivity, measure how researcher collaborative networks are developed over time, and develop an intervention to increase the connection between diverse collaborators in aging consortia. I specifically aim to: (1) Determine the characteristics of social network connections that affect aging research productivity as measured by publication and funding metrics; (2) Examine how individual and environmental characteristics including perceived barriers to IPC research influence the creation and productivity of network ties; and (3) Develop a multilevel intervention using an algorithm to connect diverse research collaborators within consortia. This proposal will provide greater understanding of community needs and produce actionable insights to diversify and strengthen collaborations produced. By providing experience in aging research, SNA, intervention development, and organizational behavior, the research plan is highly complementary to the career development of an independent aging researcher focused on developing interventions to promote IPC and improve the quality of aging research and care. The team of mentors is highly qualified and multidisciplinary, spanning domains of aging, organizational behavior, and relevant scientific methods.