Bridging Research and Practice Through Conversation

Reflecting on Our Experience

authored by

Mayra Russo, MacKenzie Jorgensen, Kristen M. Scott, Wendy Xu, Di H. Nguyen, Jessie Finocchiaro, Matthew Olckers

Abstract

While some research fields have a long history of collaborating with domain experts outside academia, many quantitative researchers do not have natural avenues to meet experts in areas where the research is later deployed. We explain how conversations - interviews without a specific research objective - can bridge research and practice. Using collaborative autoethnography, we reflect on our experience of conducting conversations with practitioners from a range of different backgrounds, including refugee rights, conservation, addiction counseling, and municipal data science. Despite these varied backgrounds, common lessons emerged, including the importance of valuing the knowledge of experts, recognizing that academic research and practice have differing objectives and timelines, understanding the limits of quantification, and avoiding data extractivism. We consider the impact of these conversations on our work, the potential roles we can serve as researchers, and the challenges we anticipate as we move forward in these collaborations.

Organisation(s)

L3S Research Centre

External Organisation(s)

King's College London
KU Leuven
The Chinese University of Hong Kong
University College Dublin
Boston College
Macquarie University

Type

Conference contribution

No. of pages

11

Publication date

29.10.2024

Publication status

Published

Peer reviewed

Yes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Artificial Intelligence, Computational Theory and Mathematics, Computer Graphics and Computer-Aided Design, Computer Science Applications, Information Systems, Computational Mathematics

Sustainable Development Goals

SDG 16 - Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

Electronic version(s)

https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2409.05880 (Access: Open)
https://doi.org/10.1145/3689904.3694705 (Access: Open)