The conversation with Alexandra Elbakyan intends to explore the Sci-Hub phenomenon and the core motives that initiated Sci-Hub. Accordingly, Sci-Hub is an open science project that has gone viral and is driven by people who pursue knowledge. The core idea behind the Sci-Hub is very simple: people should have access to knowledge without any…

The PhD graduate from a US research academic institution who has worked 5-7 years to solve a combination of laboratory and computational problems after an in-depth classroom experience is likely superbly trained in at least a subset of the life sciences and the underlying methodology and thought processes required to perform high level research.…

Open source, open content and open access are set to fundamentally alter the conditions of knowledge production and distribution. Open source, open content and open access are also the most tangible result of the shift towards e-science and digital networking. Yet, widespread misperceptions exist about the impact of this shift on knowledge…

The principal human factors engineering issue in robotics is the division of labor between automation (robots) and human beings. This issue reflects a prime human factors engineering consideration in systems design--what equipment should do and what operators and maintainers should do. Understanding of capabilities and limitations of robots and…

Four suggested basic principles that universities and industries may consider when developing cooperative agreements that will reduce conflicts of interest are: relevance, loyalty, fairness, and trust. These may be used for the development of new, cooperative ventures to support university research. (Author/MLW)

Delays in publication of articles in economics are examined, drawing on a survey of researchers in the field. It is concluded that members of this and other disciplines are responsible for more efficient peer review. A restructured selection process, better communication with referees, and enhanced policing of reviewers are also recommended. (MSE)

Interviews three professionals, representing newsletter editors, journal editors, and authors on publishing. Highlights include why librarians should write for publication; ways to get started; approaches to identifying/determining topics; how originality and usefulness rank in importance; submission issues; the selection process; editorial…

Discussed is the idea that fundamental engineering research must be funded in both universities and industry to maintain U.S. competitiveness in the global market. The importance of an adequate level of fundamental engineering research in universities, industry, and government to which the education of undergraduate students, graduate students,…

Two research projects examined the extent to which corporate commitment to human resource development is reflected in mission statements. In the first study, a questionnaire designed to elicit training data was sent to 333 Fortune 500 manufacturing and service firms; 81 completed questionnaires were returned. Sixty-nine percent of the respondents…

An increase in industry-supported academic research is economically and socially desirable. This refers not to industrial philanthropy but to research consistent with a commercial "mission." This increased coupling is advocated because there is fine science and technique created in academia which is not effectively coupled to the nation's…

There has been a proliferation of "instant experts" without credentials making pronouncement on scientific issues. As a backlash, many people profess to believing nothing they read or hear. Suggests steps to be taken to reestablish the credibility of scientific conclusions from industry. (CS)

The president of the Exxon Research and Engineering Company thinks that an increase in industry-supported academic research is economically and socially desirable. Ways industry and academia can overcome the obstacles to a better working relationship to forge new links between company and campus are outlined. (Author/MLW)

The effects of the space program, particularly Skylab, are briefly described; applications in health care, ecology, and land use are outlined. (JMF)

Productivity improvement, minority education, supplemental funding, joint venturing on national research projects, faculty development, market forecasting, information management, and a cohesive, national research and development plan are discussed in terms of increased opportunities for cooperation between business and higher education. (MLW)

Includes "Introduction" (Nadine Burquel); "University-Enterprise Cooperation: The Last Decade" (Ed Prosser); "University-Enterprise Cooperation in Italy. The Consortium for Research and Continuing Education" (Aldo Cantoni); and "University-Industry Research and Teaching Partnerships. The Warwick Example"…