Evaluation of "Paper Chase": Enhancing research dissemination and collaborative writing skills.

This article evaluates the Paper Chase program, a structured collaborative writing and team science professional development initiative at a southeastern university designed to engage interdisciplinary undergraduate and graduate students, along with faculty, in rapid research dissemination. Through thematic analysis of interviews conducted 1 to 2 years post-participation, the study identifies immediate impacts such as enhanced writing productivity, mentorship, and scientific integration; intermediate effects including improved teamwork, communication skills, and attitudes toward research; and emerging longer-term influences on career trajectories and research involvement. The program's fast-paced, rotating writing structure fosters collaboration and mentorship but may challenge individual writing preferences and communication expectations, particularly regarding manuscript submission follow-up. Overall, Paper Chase is presented as a high-impact active learning practice that supports research dissemination skills, team science competencies, and career readiness, with recommendations for further longitudinal evaluation of its sustained effects.