(Download) "Better Regulation for Research Universities (Forum)" by Issues in Science and Technology ~ eBook PDF Kindle ePub Free
eBook details
- Title: Better Regulation for Research Universities (Forum)
- Author : Issues in Science and Technology
- Release Date : January 22, 2011
- Genre: Engineering,Books,Professional & Technical,
- Pages : * pages
- Size : 194 KB
Description
The core point in Smith et al.'s "Reforming Regulation of Research Universities" (Issues, Summer 2011) is on the mark: While fully recognizing the need for accountability, we need to reduce the regulatory burden on researchers and their home institutions. This is essential if America is to reap the full benefits of its R&D investments. The fact that faculty are spending 42% of their research time on administrative requirements is not only onerous for them and a disincentive to go into research, but it is also wasteful of their time, effort, and expertise. Smith et al. offer a variety of useful suggestions about how we might reduce that burden. From my perspective, the best place to start may be the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC), which represents all of the major U.S. science funding agencies. The NSTC s Research Business Models Subcommittee has been working on this issue for a long time, but, as Smith et al. point out, we have not seen much concrete progress from its work. I have argued before that we need a much more intensive effort to get this kind of waste under control. Toward that end, it might also be useful to have the President s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology take up the issue. At a minimum, in the current budget climate, one can hope that the administration will now see this as an even more urgent agenda item and attend to it with vigor.