Tracking the featured topics of the International Science of Team Science conference series and their evolution during 2010–2019

In this paper, we study how research topics and trends have evolved in the field of the science of team science (SciTS). Over the past 12 years, the International Science of Team Science conference has been making efforts to understand and enhance the processes and outcomes of collaborative team science. We argue that the sessions and papers in academic conferences are the best way to reflect the latest research trends. Based on the panel sessions and submitted papers in conference programs during 2010–2019, this study tracks the featured topics and how they have evolved in the field. We extracted terms from the titles of the sessions and papers, and visualized the research hotspots, research topics, and how they have evolved for analysis. We found that the research hotspots are constantly changing, and the research topics present evolutionary characteristics, such as continuation, split, and fusion. Additionally, we examined the models and case studies of team science, the characteristics and dynamics of teams, the interdisciplinary research dynamics in team science, team science education and training, and how team science is measured and evaluated. These results summarize the major research trends and opportunities in the SciTS field.