HR: 16:30h
AN: ED12D-02    [PDF]
TI: The Challenges of Collaboration Across Professional Cultures
AU: * Faithorn, L
EM: lfaithorn@mail.arc.nasa.gov
AF: NASA Astrobiology Institute, NASA Ames Research Center Mail Stop 340-1, Moffett Field, CA 94035 United States
AB: I currently work as a cultural anthropologist researching and facilitating collaboration among members of a scientific "virtual institute." The NASA Astrobiology Institute (NAI) is focused on establishing a "culture of collaboration" that encourages and supports productive exchange among those representing a variety of disciplines who are pursuing key questions in the field of astrobiology. Within the context of NAI, interdisciplinary collaboration is important not only between those with expertise in the specific sciences that are part of the astrobiological research arena. Also very important is collaboration between these scientists and the educators who are striving to bring deeper awareness of and knowledge about astrobiological research findings to students of all ages and to the general public. As a member of this panel, I will offer an anthropological perspective on the diverse challenges that are associated with bridging across disciplinary, as well as geographical and institutional boundaries, and discuss the steps that are necessary to the development and maintenance of an effective culture of collaboration. Specific emphasis will be on the challenges that must be addressed in order to create effective collaborative relationships between those immersed in different professional cultures.
DE: 6605 Education
SC: Education and Human Resources [ED]
MN: 2003 Fall Meeting