This document discusses eight EcoZD research units in Southeast Asia that aim to improve integrative research approaches. It identifies both bridges and barriers to transdisciplinary collaboration. Key barriers include hierarchical structures and rigid reporting processes, while bridges include expanding stakeholder participation, opening information sharing, and securing senior leadership buy-in for long-term collaborative projects. The document provides strategies for research units to implement new structures and incentives, change organizational culture, and mitigate hindering or harness enabling factors to move towards paradigm shifts and better EcoHealth outcomes.

1. EcoZD Research Units: Bridges & Barriers to Integrative Research Approaches

4. Eight (8) EcoZD Research Units Thailand & Viet Nam improving slaughter-house hygiene Chiang Mai University EcoHealth Resource Center China zoonotic diseases - agroecological & ethnic diversity factors Laos farmer practices, agroecology, zoonoses Indonesia - Bali community-based rabies prevention University of Gadjah Mada EcoHealth Resource Center Cambodia managing zoonotic causes of acute dysentery Viet Nam survey of ZEIDS in Viet Nam

5. 1 Focus Group Discussion Guide accepted definition of ideal example of visionary meaning actual example of contextual meaning actual, potential strategy to measure history of in agency new questions shaped by new practices, tools, methods, shaped by cost/benefit of doing or trade-offs resulting from doing future of in agency transdisci- plinary collaboration 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 equity 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 participation 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 integrative ecosystem approach EcoHealth 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36

6. 1 Focus Group Discussion Summary striking characteristic actively constructing transdisciplinary collaboration? equity addressed? participatory methods & issues addressed? EcoHealth theory-to-practice strategy? Unit 1 Unit 2 Detail 3 Unit 3 Detail 1+ Unit 4 Detail 1 Unit 5 Detail 2+ Unit 6 Unit 7 Unit 8

7. striking characteristics 1 hierarchy inter-group communication style inter-group learning style inter-group information sharing adoption of concepts vs. terms

8. constructing transdisciplinary collaboration? 2 strategies for: assessing degree & quality of collaboration neutralizing hierarchical information flow & reporting assuring substantive collaboration at all research stages harnessing & building on past collaboration

9. equity addressed? 3 strategies for: equitable team decision-making power-sharing on team engaging field researchers & enumerators in instrument design explicit consideration of ethnic minority issues explicit integration of gender in PAR

10. participatory methods & issues addressed? 4 strategies for: identifying information flow/hoarding for integrating research assuring resources for PRA translation monitoring quality of stakeholder engagement explicit consideration of ethnic minority issues explicit integration of gender in PRA

11. EcoHealth theory-to-practice strategy? 5 strategies for: using mixed methods to cross discipline barriers emulating identified models defining structure & function of collaboration assuring research is centered on stakeholder

13. new structures & mechanisms 1 structure determines function strong leadership & buy-in from senior staff building on past successful models speeds processes need for sufficient human resources & sufficient budgeting

14. changes in organisational culture 2 strong cultures with visionary leaders co-operation and collegiality focus on outcomes not on outputs innovation and different perspectives welcomed

15. new incentives & accountabilities 3 performance measures that reflect goals of integrative research approach research projects accountable upwards and downwards focus on communication

17. new structures & mechanisms 4 Unit 1 expanding expert panel of advisors Unit 5 rotating team meeting chair Unit 6 bypassing rigid & slow inter-agency reporting process Unit 2 institutionalizing non-hierarchical communication between junior & senior staff

18. changes in organisational culture 5 Unit 2 opening intra-agency information flow Unit 3 moving from resource-sharing to sharing ideas & research goals Unit 1 expanding community-based action-research & integration of local champions Unit 5 increasing confidence in exploring complex research questions

19. new incentives & accountabilities 6 Unit 5 collaboration with international partners & donors Unit 3 recognition by central government on cost-saving & development impacts of successful collaborative research Unit 4 trust-building with new partners & networking

21. EcoZD Objective Increase the knowledge, skills and capacity of research and infectious disease control personnel in SEA to understand risks and impacts of Zoonotic Emerging Infectious Diseases (ZEIDs) and best options to be implemented and adapted.

22. EcoZD Research Units: Bridges & Barriers to Integrative Research Approaches for references contact Rainer Ass é, PhD [email_address] Universitas Gadjah Mada มหาวิทยาลัยเชียงใหม่