The overall goal of the project is to develop an improved understanding of university resource allocation in agricultural and life science research by examining the ethics and values associated with research outputs (articles, patents, and doctorates), potential changes in the direction of and audience for scientific researchers (e.g., basic vs. applied, firms for licensing vs. broader public dissemination), and the observable quality of the research (e.g., number of citations, licensing revenues, or other measures). The project examines the resource allocation process at the university level as well as at the level of individual researchers within the agricultural and life sciences at U.S. land-grant universities (LGUs) and other leading public and private research universities.

At the university level, the project is built on a 20-year panel database on university research inputs, outputs, and patent revenues that two of the principal investigators (Barham and Foltz) have developed over the past four years. At the individual level, the project revolves around nationwide surveys of professorial-rank researchers in the agricultural and life sciences at over 140 universities. Survey questions focus on scientists’ research direction, outputs, grant sources, stakeholders, and attitudes. The survey of agricultural scientists follows up on similar surveys conducted in 1979 (by sociologists Lawrence Busch and William Lacy) and 1989/1995 (by sociologist Frederick Buttel).

A deeper understanding of resource allocation and outcomes in university research can contribute toward the design of better policies and incentive structures to promote agricultural and life science research, including efficiency and equity outcomes. Findings from this study will be presented to key university decision makers, state policymakers, and interdisciplinary audiences.

Funding for this project has been provided by the USDA’s National Research Initiative (USDA/NRI Project #WIS04916), the National Science Foundation (NSF Grant #0424772), and the USDA Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service (USDA/CSREES Project #WIS04886)