Collaborations David Lee VP for Research

2 Collaborations Why engage? Collaborative Research – David Lee Data Management/Sharing – David Knauft Mentor/Mentee Relationships – David Knauft Peer Review – David Knauft Authorship and Publication – David Knauft Misconduct in Science – Regina Smith Conflicts of Interest – Regina Smith RESPONSIBLE CONDUCT IN RESEARCH

3 Collaborations Why engage? Collaborations vary in complexity From faculty & student, to … Favored more than ever Favor breakthroughs, especially with the “big problems” Consistent with funding and interdisciplinary emphases Can be fun when things go right! Easier than ever Travel Communication Shipping RESPONSIBLE CONDUCT IN RESEARCH

4 Collaborations But, there can be problems Potential issues. Approaches to credit and responsibility sharing (generosity) Collaborator who doesn’t want to share data or reagents Disagreements over when to publish or how to handle IP Collaborator who is slow or doesn’t follow through Differences in standards of proof (or perfectionism) Differences in research style or culture (e.g. industry) RESPONSIBLE CONDUCT IN RESEARCH

5 Collaborations What makes them work? Implementation requirements. Clear focus/purpose of activity: “why am I doing this?” Who’s in charge (PI)? How will decisions get made? Impacts of size & logistics Bigger is not always better Cost of active participation? Communication mechanisms In person, via meetings, or electronic? RESPONSIBLE CONDUCT IN RESEARCH

6 Collaborations What makes them work? Implementation requirements cont’d. How will changes in research design will be made? Who decides? How will progress be monitored? Who writes the papers? … report? … gives presentations? How will authorship be assigned? How will IP be handled? Who will preserve, maintain and share the data? RESPONSIBLE CONDUCT IN RESEARCH

7 Collaborations What makes them work? Implementation requirements cont’d. Increasingly, collaborations must involve the institution Material Transfer Agreements Intellectual Property Research Compliance Budgetary, animals, humans Export control if international Conflicts of interest RESPONSIBLE CONDUCT IN RESEARCH

8 Collaborations What makes them work? Implementation requirements: Last but not least - how to end a collaboration? Best when there is a defined end-point RESPONSIBLE CONDUCT IN RESEARCH

9 Collaborations Issues with industry. Industry relations are desired but can be issues. Conflicts over mission Company may seek ownership rights to invention developed at the university If company develops new product for public benefit – great, consistent with U’s mission But, if shelves so no other company can develop and gain competitive advantage – conflicts with U’s mission Conflicts over publishing, other forms of dissemination Can be big issue for students/fellows/young faculty RESPONSIBLE CONDUCT IN RESEARCH

10 Collaborations Issues with international collaborations. Ditto for international collaborations. Issues with research performed at other sites under collaborative agreement PI must ensure meets UGA compliance requirements Restrictions to sharing data and reagents Safety Difficulty with shipping Federal guidelines re national security (“export control”)Can be big issue for students/fellows/young faculty RESPONSIBLE CONDUCT IN RESEARCH

11 Collaborations Issues for students/fellows/young faculty. Credit and conflicts. The need to publish May need to abide by restrictions on dissemination of research Conflict between collaborative and independent work Promotion and tenure Conflict of interest – startups RESPONSIBLE CONDUCT IN RESEARCH

12 Collaborations Issues for students/fellows/young faculty. Credit and conflicts. Conflict of interest Startups Off-campus challenges Research compliance Federal guidelines re national security (“export control”) Cultural sensitivities General uncertainties Seek clarification from mentors and/or administrators RESPONSIBLE CONDUCT IN RESEARCH

13 Collaborations What can you do? Communicate, communicate, communicate. Develop a plan Share findings with collaborators and pay attention to what they’re doing Report / discuss problems as well as findings Make collaborators aware of any important changes Share related news and developments – stay informed too RESPONSIBLE CONDUCT IN RESEARCH

14 Collaborations Management Management plans should cover: Financial issues – “who pays for what (travel, equip, etc)?” See your office of Sponsored Programs early and often; adhere to OMB Circulars A-21, A-110 Training and supervision of all researchers and staff e.g. Research animals or human subjects Formal agreements e.g. Transfer of materials RESPONSIBLE CONDUCT IN RESEARCH

15 Collaborations Management Management plans should cover: Compliance Must ensure compliance at all project sites Handling of intellectual property (IP) “Who’s discovery is it anyway?” RESPONSIBLE CONDUCT IN RESEARCH

16 Collaborations Very Satisfying When It All Comes Together RESPONSIBLE CONDUCT IN RESEARCH