We strongly value collaboration – some of our most impactful work has come from teaming up with others. But successful, repeatable collaborations don’t happen by accident – they depend on clear expectations and mutual understanding.
What follows are our guiding principles. They’re not rigid rules, and they may not all apply in every case. But they are a useful starting point for productive conversations and strong working relationships.
Guiding Principles
- Funding enables collaboration.
As an academic lab, our ability to participate in projects depends on funding. Our students and faculty are largely supported through project-based (soft) funding. For work to happen, time must be allocated – and that means funding must be in place.
- Pilot work is possible (with a purpose).
There are opportunities where we might be able to sponsor small-scale, exploratory work when it has a clear objective – such as a proposal or publication. But this is an investment on our part, and outcomes should be discussed up front.
- Reciprocity is key.
If we contribute time, resources, data, or equipment to your work, we expect appropriate compensation – whether in the form of co-authorship, student support, or other contributions. This should be agreed upon before work begins.
Exception: In some cases, like an unsuccessful experiment, original agreements may still stand – if risks were clearly shared from the start.
- No contribution, no credit.
Conversely, if we did not contribute to your project, we do not expect recognition or compensation. Without our involvement, you likely do not need our services, knowledge, or equipment. (Exceptions: see 3a).
Using FAST Lab Equipment
We maintain a state-of-the-art experimental facility – built over the years through major investments in funding, time, and infrastructure. We are proud to share it, but doing so comes with a few important considerations.
- It’s expensive.
Costs come before, during, and after experimentation: student time, materials, electricity, calibration, space, and maintenance (to name a few). Access to equipment may also include less-visible costs (e.g., annual calibration, training, repairs, facility upkeep). These are real and must be considered.
- Availability is limited.
Just because we have it does not mean it is available. Equipment is often acquired for specific projects and may be prioritized accordingly. This restriction can change over time as we continue to build and adapt collaborations.
- Testing always takes longer.
Be realistic: testing takes time. Start with your best estimate, multiply it by two, then multiply again by three. You may still be short. Setup, teardown, tool-building, and troubleshooting all add time – so plan accordingly.
- If you “just need to use the equipment”…
We understand that university resources are shared, but we also carry the responsibility (and cost) of maintaining and stewarding this equipment. If you are requesting equipment access only, consider:
- Do you need training? That’s not free.
- Do you need space for the experiment? That’s not free either.
- Are you taking full responsibility for calibration and damage? If so, we’ll need that in writing.