WIKIMEDIA COMMONS, PETER PRUDON
With increased competition for relatively flat research budgets, academics are more often turning to industry for support. But many are concerned that these relationships are pushing academic research towards commercialization, adding a mercenary element to research that should, in principle, be driven by scientific curiosity.
A new report out today (June 13) could help academics navigate the sometimes murky waters of collaborations with industry. From the American Association of University Professors (AAUP), the report tackles academic autonomy, intellectual property, conflict of interest, and other issues arising from the intermingling of academics and industry scientists, and provides both general principles and more targeted recommendations for how to keep things kosher. The AAUP hopes the guidelines, now open for public comment, will give faculty and universities a ...
