Conducting caring collaborations in societally engaged research

A literature review

Abstract

This article presents a conceptual literature review on the topic of care in research collaborations. The review covers 27 articles that complied with our focus. Based on the findings, we call for an increased acknowledgement of external collaborations (with external stakeholders) versus internal dimensions of collaboration (within research institutions). With regard to internal dimensions, we underline the role played by subjective motivation and working conditions, which impact the possibility of building impactful collaborations. In terms of external dimensions, we highlight the role of temporal constraints, which discourage the development of trust with societal actors, and the importance of power relations between researchers and participants. Finally, we identify dimensions which cut across the internal and external, such as affect, normative framings of research and measures of excellence. We conclude that the performance of caring collaborations is often constrained by measures of excellence, institutional constraints and policy regulations.