Early-Career Coordinated Distributed Experiments: Empowerment Through Collaboration
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Coordinated distributed experiments (CDEs) enable the study of large-scale ecological
patterns in geographically dispersed areas, while simultaneously providing broad
academic and personal benefits for the participants. However, the effective involvement
of early-career researchers (ECRs) presents major challenges. Here, we analyze the
benefits and challenges of the first CDE exclusively led and conducted by ECRs (i.e.
ECR-CDE), which sets a baseline for similar CDEs, and we provide recommendations
for successful CDE execution. ECR-CDEs achieve most of the outcomes identified in
conventional CDEs as well as extensive benefits for the young cohort of researchers,
including: (i) receiving scientific credit, (ii) peer-training in new concepts and methods, (iii)
developing leadership and communication skills, (iv) promoting a peer network among
ECRs, and (v) building on individual engagement and independence. We also discuss
the challenges of ECR-CDEs, which are mainly derived from the lack of independence
and instability of the participants, and we suggest mechanisms to address them, such
as resource re-allocation and communication strategies. We conclude that ECR-CDEs
can be a relevant tool to empower ECRs across disciplines by fostering their training,
networking and personal well-being