An Open University cancer researcher is a signatory to a letter in today's Times Higher Education, accusing a Research Councils' initiative of compromising UK academic researchers' freedom.
Dr Sotiris Missailidis is one of 49 distinguished academics, including several Nobel Laureates, who urge fellow-researchers not to comply with the Pathways to Impact initiative, which they say 'corrupts researchers' thinking' and 'wastes taxpayers' money'.
They also accuse Universities and Science minister David Willetts of ignoring evidence sent to him in support of terminating the initiative.
Pathways to Impact obliges those submitting research proposals to Research Councils to identify the potential economic and societal benefits of their research project, and outline how they expect this will be achieved.
Dr Missailidis and his fellow signatories suggest that researchers submit responses such as: "I am not competent to assess the future potential socio-economic impact of this proposal".
The letter published today 14 April is a follow-up to one written to the Times Higher on the same subject in 2009.
Dr Missailidis is a world authority on the use of molecules called aptamers to target cancer. He is chair of the Open University module S807 Molecules in medicine and SK123 Understanding cancer, and editor of the book The Cancer Clock.
Useful Links
- Profile of Dr Sotiris Missailidis
- Dr Sotiris Missailidis talks about his cancer research
