Abstract C014: Strengthening transdisciplinary teams through developmental evaluation: Learnings from a multi-year, multi-project initiative
Authors: Pinsoneault Laura , Cawthra Tobi , Krause Alexis , Gardner-Volle Kristen , Elza Jenelle , Kinner Kim , Stolley Melinda 
Published: December 2023

Cancer disparities are complex problems which require a deep understanding and strong collaboration from a broad set of perspectives across the academic and non-academic spectrum (community members, community-based organizations, policymakers) to identify sustainable solutions. The Community and Cancer Science Network (CCSN) initiative of the Medical College of Wisconsin Cancer Center is a transdisciplinary network focused on addressing statewide cancer disparities. CCSN grounds its approach in the principles of deep equity, systems-change, and the integration of biology to policy. CCSN currently includes multiple projects and more than 140 community and academic partners. Diverse transdisciplinary collaborations do not occur organically, often need facilitation and benefit from on-going assessment and support. To continually evaluate ways in which we can build and sustain strong teams and solutions, we utilize a developmental evaluation process leveraging the expertise of an external evaluation firm. Developmental evaluation supports social innovations by working with program leaders to focuses on learning and adaption. As CCSN has grown, developmental evaluation has allowed us to continually adapt how we build and guide our transdisciplinary teams. External developmental evaluators work with each project team as a cooperative partner and help guide the team leaders through understanding data needs, data collection, data analysis, and data interpretation. Our developmental evaluation began with journey mapping to understand the process and elements for successful leadership of a transdisciplinary team. This approach provided data allowing us to understand a pattern of certain pain points in collaborations and ways in which to prepare for and mitigate expected challenges. As the network has grown, we have utilized developmental evaluation to refine an annual partner survey and employ intermediate surveys (i.e., Right Now surveys) to assess team progress and openness to collaboration. Network mapping and stakeholder analysis have contributed to team formation helping team leaders consider new voices and perspectives. Further tools including Before/After Action reviews, Situational Analyses, and a readiness assessment were used to shape our understanding of successful transdisciplinary teams. We will show evidence of how these tools have positively impacted our ability to engage community and academic partners in authentic transdisciplinary collaborations over a four-year, and multi-project effort. Transdisciplinary Collaboration involving community and academic partners offer great promise for innovative approaches to cancer disparities. These unique collaborations may need additional support and guidance. Developmental evaluation provides tools to allow leaders to adapt to the needs and changes within complex teams.

Citation Format: Laura Pinsoneault, Tobi Cawthra, Alexis Krause, Kristen Gardner-Volle, Jenelle Elza, Kim Kinner, Melinda Stolley. Strengthening transdisciplinary teams through developmental evaluation: Learnings from a multi-year, multi-project initiative [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 16th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2023 Sep 29-Oct 2;Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2023;32(12 Suppl):Abstract nr C014.