Demystifying academics to enhance university–business collaborations in environmental science

• DOI: 10.5194/gc-2018-13
• Publication Date: 2018-08-16T07:08:53Z
• Authors: John K. Hillier; Geoffrey Saville; Mike J. Smith; Alister J. Scott; Emma K. Raven; Jonathan Gascoigne; Louise Slater; Nevil Quinn; Andreas Tsanakas; Claire Souch; Gregor C. Leckebusch; Neil Macdonald; Jennifer Loxton; Rebecca Wilebore; Alexandra Collins; Colin MacKechnie; Jaqui Tweddle; Alice M. Milner; Sarah Moller; MacKenzie Dove; Harry Langford; Jim Craig
• Keywords: Promotion (chess); Nature versus nurture; Publication; Curiosity

Abstract. In countries globally (e.g. UK, Australia) there is intense political interest in fostering effective university-business collaborations, but has been scant attention devoted to exactly how individual scientists' workload (i.e. specified tasks) and incentive structures assessment criteria) may act as a key barrier this. To investigate this an original, empirical dataset derived from UK job specifications promotion criteria, which distil universities' varied drivers into requirements upon academics. This reveals the nature of severe challenge posed by heavily time-constrained culture; specifically, tension exists between opportunities presented working with industry non-optional duties administration, teaching). Thus, justify time work industry, such must inspire curiosity facilitate future novel science order mitigate its conflict overriding imperative for academics publish. It also provide evidence real-world changes impact), ideally other reportable outcomes official status business' advisor), feed back scientist's performance appraisals. Indicatively, amid 20–50 duties, scientists be able free up 0.5 days/week industry. Thus specific, pragmatic actions, including short-term time-efficient steps, are proposed user guide help initiate nurture long-term collaboration early- mid-career environmental scientist practitioner insurance These actions mapped tailored typology impact newly-created representative set appraisal criteria explain they effective, mutually beneficial, overcome barriers. Throughout, focus on science, illustrative detail provided through example natural hazard risk modelling However, new conceptual model developed, joining perspectives literatures academics' motivations assessment, we tentatively posit widely applicable. Sector-specific details list relevant impacts, guide) serve templates across sectors.