Connecting through research: A collaborative autoethnography of a positive culture in an inter-institutional research group

Abstract

The LUCARA (Lincoln University, University of Canterbury, and Ara Te Pūkenga) group is a thriving research group based in Ōtautahi Christchurch, New Zealand. The group consists of nine academics in sport and exercise science, health, and nutrition at the three tertiary institutions. The majority of the group members had previously been involved in collaborative research for over 10 years. Initially, the relationships during this time were largely transactional, for example, editorial feedback, funding support, data collection, and statistical support. However, in the last two-and-half years, the group has matured, and relationships have deepened with weekly meetings, connections, and partnerships, which has produced a large increase in the number of collaborations between researchers, sharing of resources, and hence increased research outputs. This narrative explores the organic researcher-led growth in the group, and uses the theme of connections to gain an understanding of how this culture has blossomed over a relatively short time in a sport and allied health research setting.