Scientific research is rarely carried out by one person alone. On the contrary, collaboration with other scientists is a central component of scientific work. As its name suggests, the Eyes4ICU Doctoral Network is a research network whose aim is the collaborative training of young scientists at an European level. Our Doctoral Candidate Merve Ekin, based in SWPS University in Warsaw, gives us some insights into the benefits and challenges of (international) collaboration and how it has shaped her working style.
In your approximately two years of doctoral studies, you have already collaborated with many people. Who have you worked with so far, and what were your roles and tasks in these collaborations?
Doing my PhD, so far I had the opportunity to work with different researchers and research groups from different institutions. Working with experts in different fields has contributed to my approach to cognitive research and eye-tracking methodology. Throughout this process, my supervisors, Krzysztof Krejtz and Izabela Krejtz, provide continuous support. I am also part of a wonderful research team at the Eye Tracking Research Centre at SWPS University.
For my first paper, I worked with Andrew Duchowski from Clemson University and Carlos Duarte from the University of Lisbon. This was my first experimental study in the doctoral programme, where I led the research design and data collection. Later, I collaborated with Andrew on the data analysis, and Carlos provided feedback to refine the manuscript. For the same data, David-Levente Kovacs from IT University of Copenhagen, another doctoral candidate in EYES4ICU, is also working on the same data in line with data protection regulations. We are collaborating with him on predictive machine learning modelling privacy issues.
My second paper focuses on web accessibility. In this project, I collaborated with Carlos Duarte and Leticia Seixas Pereira from the University of Lisbon, who contributed their expertise in accessibility. I led the study and was responsible for the study design, data collection and analysis. I also collaborated with Ann Marcus-Quinn from the University of Limerick, who played a key role in reviewing and editing the manuscript.
For my second study, I designed the research at ETH Zurich in collaboration with my co-supervisor, Peter Kiefer. I also worked with experts from the Department of Cartography at ETH Zurich to refine the study approach. I carried out the data collection in my university and I am currently working on the data analysis with Dan Witzner Hansen from the IT University of Copenhagen.
How did you establish these collaborations?
My supervisors Krzysztof Krejtz and Izabela Krejtz are the biggest help. Their extensive network and guidance introduced me to researchers in different fields. This allowed me to work with experts. In addition, being part of this large community, EYES4ICU, allows me to meet and work with experts in eye tracking and to explore different universities and topics.
In which sense did you benefit from these collaborations?
I have worked with my collaborators on a variety of topics such as website accessibility, climate change and machine learning analysis. Thanks to this collaboration, I have learned and continue to learn about these topics. Therefore, these experiences give a different, comprehensive, multidisciplinary and novel approach to my doctoral project. I believe this will open many doors for me in my future career.
Which specific skills did you acquire through collaboration?
Collaboration requires flexibility and adaptability, because each team member has their own responsibilities and roles. To work effectively together, it's important to be patient, respect each other's time, and actively listen to different perspectives. Through my collaborative experiences, I have developed clear communication skills, the ability to give and receive effective feedback, flexibility and time management. Being open to different view points and approaches to solve the problem is also important for productive and successful teamwork.
How do you manage differing opinions or approaches between team members during a collaborative effort?
Effective communication is key to managing different opinions in collaboration. I have focused on active listening, learning, and finding solutions. Working with professors from different fields has given me valuable insights and expanded my perspective. This experience has also helped me to adapt to different working styles and approaches.
Which role will collaboration play in your next study?
For now, we plan to work with the Copernicus Science Centre, which is my last secondment, for my real-time study. During this study, we also plan to collect data together with Mehtap Çakır from Ulm University, who is one of the doctoral candidates in our EYES4ICU consortium.