Research funding changes threaten academic freedom

Media release
Academic Freedom Aotearoa
4 October 2013

Research funding changes threaten academic freedom

The government’s plans to make commercial research the top priority for universities is a threat to Their mission and undermines academic freedom says Dr Sandra Grey, co-chair of the newly founded Academic Freedom Aotearoa.

“Commercialisable research is valuable to New Zealand, and we support it,” says Dr Grey. “But we also need to support a balanced portfolio of activities that are good for New Zealand, including research that questions and challenges business or government.”

Dr Grey made her comments in response to a government review of Performance Based Research Funding, in which the government is proposing to focus its competitive research funding upon business research opportunities.

She says the current competitive funding model means some staff have had their academic freedom impinged by managers making requests that they change their research focus in order to focus on subjects that are more suitable to gain funding. These pressures will grow if the government’s proposals proceed.

Academic Freedom Aotearoa has submitted to the review stating the government’s first priority should be supporting the legislative requirements on universities to protect the values of academic freedom and democracy.

“Research for commercial interests already brings institutions the reward of additional research funding. There is no need to double the incentive by skewing public funding to favour private research too. Public monies should be concentrated on research that is for the public good, not only the private and commercial good,” says Dr Grey.

ENDS

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