Special Session: Design your Ideal Work Group: Intentionally Structuring Research and Teaching Group Culture to Better Navigate Differences in Thinking

Engineering and computer science education (EngCSEd) research and teaching groups aim to revolutionize engineering departments through the implementation of existing research, use of organizational and cultural change theories, and production of new knowledge. These efforts often involve interdisciplinary groups, comprised of individuals holding varying institutional positions, academic levels, and personal identities, with team members bringing their own approaches to the generation, expression, and application of knowledge. These differences in thinking are key to the success of EngCSEd projects; however, they can also create tensions that prevent teams from achieving their core goals. The purpose of this special session is to engage EngCSEd scholars in intentional reflection about their research and/or teaching group's culture around making decisions and support them to develop 'rules of engagement' for their group to encourage negotiation of differences in thinking.