I Am Proud of the Team: Evidence from an Interdisciplinary Teamwork in Nuclear Research: A Constructivist Grounded Theory Study Combined with Collaborative Autoethnography

Interdisciplinary collaboration is crucial for addressing complex, real-world challenges, particularly in high-stakes fields such as nuclear research. The UK’s Zero-Power Reactor Project exemplifies this approach, aiming to develop innovative reactor technology that supports the nation’s net-zero carbon objectives. The project brought together a culturally diverse, interdisciplinary team of researchers, whose collaboration was central to its progress. Reflecting on the team’s journey, we sought to understand the dynamics that shaped their experience. This led us to ask: What were the experiences of the Zero-Power team, and what factors enabled or hindered their collaboration? We employed a qualitative methodology combining constructivist grounded theory with collaborative autoethnography, enabling a deep exploration of the lived experiences of team members. Reflections were gathered at the project’s conclusion to examine how the team functioned, learned, and evolved. Through iterative cycles of inductive, deductive, and abductive reasoning as well as using constant comparative analysis, we identified key patterns in how individuals build trust, overcome disciplinary and cultural differences, and co-create a productive team environment. Three overarching themes emerged: psychological safety, including belonging and value, learning and self-reflection, team spirit and motivation, and Innovation and discovery. Additionally, strategies for team building and addressing challenges and uncertainty were discussed. This study contributes to empirical evidence of existing knowledge and suggests actionable insights for cultivating high-performing teams in complex scientific environments and real-world challenges by demonstrating a role model of ‘interscience’.