Conflict of interest
Why is this relevant for researchers?
Conflicts of interest (COI) include a variety of situations in which an employee is faced with conflicting loyalties, and may arise when personal economic interests conflict with the duties toward the research institution. Here are some examples:
- If a professor that is supervisor for a student owns a company, and the research performed by the student is relevant for the company
- If your research group establishes a company based on their research result, and the research institution/research group buys products and services from this company.
- If a faculty member recommends that a graduate student pursue research in an area that would benefit the commercialisation of a product of a company in which the faculty member has a financial interest.
“Conflict of interest” situations – BTO can help
Someone once said “No conflict, no interest”, referring to a principle in which a conflict increases an individual’s commitment to a project and, therefore, its chances of success.
Generally, if a conflict situation is permitted, specific guidelines and expectations are established prior to permitting the activity or financial interest. Most conflict situations that are of concern and allowable under the law can be handled through disclosure and the setting of appropriate conditions and monitoring requirements. BTO takes this problem seriously, and we have a proactive, professional approach to identify and handle potential COI’s in our portfolio. As a researcher, you may face different types of COI situations as part of your research group.
Please contact BTO if you have any questions regarding conflict of interest or any other commercialisation related questions.