11 Joint Research Projects: Experiences and
Recom mendations
Sabine Dittmann, Andreas Hild, Volker Grimm, Carmen-Pia GUnther,
Verena Niesel, Marlies ViII brandt, Hauke Bietz & Ulrike Schleier
Abstract: ELA W A T ("Resilience of the Wadden Sea ecosystem") was one of the
larger joint projects ever undertaken in German marine sciences. As this project is
ending, we have compiled our experiences with that joint research approach in this
chapter, as this could be helpful in respect to future projects and research policies.
In order to learn from this experience, we try to be frank in stating deficits, mistakes and matters that were overlooked. These were mainly caused by the severe
structural, financial and personnel problems found in the German University system at the moment, so that we comment on that situation as well. This chapter
contains only those experiences and recommendations drawn from ELA W AT; in
other parts of the "Ecosystem Research Wadden Sea" there were different experiences. In addition, we have listed several research questions which remained either
unanswered or which arose during the "Ecosystem Research Wadden Sea", and
we also recommend areas for future research emphasis.
11.1
Realization of ELAWAT
Temporal realization
The basic research within the context of the "Ecosystem Research Wadden Sea"
was initiated in the state of Lower Saxony in 1990 and by the end of 19911early
1992, 15 sub-projects commenced their work for the pilot studies of ELA W AT.
The tasks of these pilot studies were mainly to assess methodological aspects and
determine appropriate temporal and spatial scales for the investigations of the
different disciplines involved. The pilot studies ended in February 1993 and their
results were compiled in a two-volume report.
Due to delays in the grant-application for the main study phase there was no
continuity between these two stages of the project. Funds for the main study phase
were granted in autumn 1993 and only a few institutions had been able to continue
their research throughout the summer of that year. Furthermore, not all of the subprojects involved in the pilot studies were continued and some new sub-projects
included in the main study phase. A better combination of these two stages and a
continuity of SUb-projects would have been more effective. A further hindrance in
this early stage was that no steering group was in place for 1992.
The main study phase for ELA W AT started in October 1993, initially with a
duration of 39 months. Eleven sub-projects of 8 different institutions were in-
Recom mendations
Sabine Dittmann, Andreas Hild, Volker Grimm, Carmen-Pia GUnther,
Verena Niesel, Marlies ViII brandt, Hauke Bietz & Ulrike Schleier
Abstract: ELA W A T ("Resilience of the Wadden Sea ecosystem") was one of the
larger joint projects ever undertaken in German marine sciences. As this project is
ending, we have compiled our experiences with that joint research approach in this
chapter, as this could be helpful in respect to future projects and research policies.
In order to learn from this experience, we try to be frank in stating deficits, mistakes and matters that were overlooked. These were mainly caused by the severe
structural, financial and personnel problems found in the German University system at the moment, so that we comment on that situation as well. This chapter
contains only those experiences and recommendations drawn from ELA W AT; in
other parts of the "Ecosystem Research Wadden Sea" there were different experiences. In addition, we have listed several research questions which remained either
unanswered or which arose during the "Ecosystem Research Wadden Sea", and
we also recommend areas for future research emphasis.
11.1
Realization of ELAWAT
Temporal realization
The basic research within the context of the "Ecosystem Research Wadden Sea"
was initiated in the state of Lower Saxony in 1990 and by the end of 19911early
1992, 15 sub-projects commenced their work for the pilot studies of ELA W AT.
The tasks of these pilot studies were mainly to assess methodological aspects and
determine appropriate temporal and spatial scales for the investigations of the
different disciplines involved. The pilot studies ended in February 1993 and their
results were compiled in a two-volume report.
Due to delays in the grant-application for the main study phase there was no
continuity between these two stages of the project. Funds for the main study phase
were granted in autumn 1993 and only a few institutions had been able to continue
their research throughout the summer of that year. Furthermore, not all of the subprojects involved in the pilot studies were continued and some new sub-projects
included in the main study phase. A better combination of these two stages and a
continuity of SUb-projects would have been more effective. A further hindrance in
this early stage was that no steering group was in place for 1992.
The main study phase for ELA W AT started in October 1993, initially with a
duration of 39 months. Eleven sub-projects of 8 different institutions were in-