‘Inter’-working: Interdisciplinary, multilevel and participatory working (and some reflections)
When I started writing this, it was with an aim to write 500 words about something I’m doing and 300 words of reflection, this was the guidance myself and Martin agreed. It aims to reflect on the way we try to work in general, offering some guidance and lots of freedom. But I appear to have somewhat ignored my own advice and ‘inter’-grated the two, writing and reflecting on my multiple roles at once. And what would a post from a management academic be without a two by two? In creating this diagram I considered how rooted we can be in our disciplinary norms, their ironies and utilities.
This ‘inter’ way of working underpins our DECIDE project, it also unfolds differently for each individual, so I only speak for myself here or anywhere. I offer some thoughts, wondering already if I will come back to go deeper into any one of these in subsequent blogs or if I will even remember. Before I begin, I acknowledge my multiple privileges that find me in any of these roles. These roles are both a challenge and a joy
Co-PI, it is worth first saying that Anne (pictured, Co-PI) and I worked hard to make this shared role a reality. The EPSRC generally has not supported the sharing of the PI role, although this is changing. The ingrained idea of power dynamics between funder and applicant/awardee made it feel risky to push for this. Shaped by our values and collaboration over 12 years, we felt it was worth the risk, perceived or otherwise, to share this role and its responsibilities. While we have assigned responsibilities, this embeds our ability to pass the baton on almost anything if the other needs a break for any reason. The EPSRC granted the request. It is a gift to be able to work so closely, but we must be mindful that we communicate beyond ourselves clearly. I must be mindful of my own power/position in this role and avoid any form of structural silencing. Who do you complain to if the Co-PI is the problem?
As a Team Member, I relish the opportunity of learning endlessly. Listening to any of the team talk about their expertise, how they do, their work package, learning or how they navigate challenges is incredible. I love this role, being in the collective. There are times where I feel some tension between being that team member and Co-PI. I consider now whether a step that might help clarify this is by either saying or asking which role this is in relation to?
I have dedicated time in my diary to the project but the slip between Co-PI time and Work Package 4 (WP4) is one of my biggest sticking points, feeling I don’t get enough done on either. WP4 is dedicated to three 'objectives’, broadly it’s called the Translation and Evaluation WP. I delight in that it is largely an internal facing work package. It aims to pull together interdisciplinary learnings, create a blueprint of this project for replication (speaking to values of openness) and makes an external leap to engagement and dissemination with particular focus on policy. I find myself on a steep and wonderful learning curve on policy. I often reflect on how much I value being able to collaborate with Martin on this, how much we share yet how differently we think, how much I have already learned methodologically, logically and creatively from him. I try to be mindful of the fact that he has less time on this and is spread across multiple packages, but I know I must work harder to respect his availability and continue to ask what works for you?
The External Engagement and particularly policy advocacy, was what I set out to focus on for this blog, but for space sake, I’ll use it as an illustration. External engagement underpins the hub; it is critical the hub is fit for our key users (farmers, and nature). From a Co-PI position, it is lovely to remind myself of this with orchard visits (pictured). It reminds me of the whole motivation, but in my WP4 role I need to spend more time engaging with policy and focusing on my internal role.
Balancing roles is a challenge as boundaries blur and time is limited. I ask myself regularly where on the spectrum is this event/request/thing - from Co-PI responsibility, to overstepping and robbing someone of the opportunity to learn, or worse dictating what I think, to not being the right team member or having the knowledge, skills or onus to respond. I think drawing and re-drawing these boundaries is necessary.
My final reflection is that at least I stuck to the word count?