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Paper: Mini-Partnerships: Successes of “Just Asking”
Volume: 389, EPO and a Changing World: Creating Linkages and Expanding Partnerships
Page: 75
Authors: Enevoldsen, A.A.G.
Abstract: Partnerships between scientists and educational institutions are usually complex: involving overhead, management, grant applications, responsibilities, and a mutually-beneficial arrangement. Though this is very powerful, it is not the only way for scientists and educators to work together and share new science with the public. We should also explore mini-partnerships: partnerships that have a minimal time commitment and no ongoing responsibilities.

For example: five times between January and May, when I was writing various curricula or articles, I found I was missing some piece of information, usually on a very recent discovery. The lack of published information on these recent finds led me to directly contact the team making the discovery, with a carefully-worded, pertinent question. Every time I asked, I received a prompt, cheerful reply, with an answer to my question and an offer for assistance in the future.

The key to the success of these mini-partnerships has been politeness, understanding of time constraints, knowing what question to ask, and being able to interpret the answer.

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