2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

The purpose of this research paper is to explore the fostering of psychologically safe spaces within multi-institutional research networks in higher education. Doing so provides insights to the leadership and administrators of these networks to improve researcher well-being and productivity across academic ranks.

Multidisciplinary, interdisciplinary, and multi-institutional research networks have become critical for addressing the complex challenges of the 21st century, particularly in science and engineering fields. U.S. funding agencies, such as the National Science Foundation, have invested in large-scale initiatives that require cross-institutional collaborations. These research networks encompass different disciplinary contexts, geographical regions, institutional cultures, and academic ranks, all the while seeking to develop cohesive and inclusive teams. Collaboration of this nature across institutions may create tensions in organizational structures if the well-being and psychological safety of their members are not addressed. As the field of engineering seeks to broaden participation and foster supportive learning environments, understanding how multi-institutional networks which are meant to address societal challenges support their members is critical.

Our study focuses on understanding how members of a prominent multi-institutional research network, Multiscale Resilient, Equitable, and Circular Innovations with Partnership and Education Synergies (RECIPES) for Sustainable Food System, perceive the network to foster psychological safety (PS) (Edmondson, 1999). We draw on qualitative data from two focus groups involving twenty-five members of the network. By analyzing the contributions from the participants’ interviews on aspects of the culture (such as leadership, power dynamics, participation, etc.) with the research network, we uncover the ways in which fostering psychological safety is demonstrated within the network.

Our findings suggest that psychological safety is a critical factor in fostering collaboration and researcher well-being within multi-institutional research networks. By creating environments where members feel safe to express themselves, take risks, and engage in constructive dialogue, these networks can enhance productivity and cultivate a culture of mutual respect and trust. Our paper concludes with recommendations for prioritizing psychological safety and researcher well-being in multi-institutional networks and other higher education spaces where research is conducted.

Keywords: multi-institutional network, psychological safety, researcher well-being, research community, engineering education