Researchers everywhere recognize that meeting the challenges of the 21st century will require collaboration and interdisciplinarity. But with that imperative, ethical challenges in academic partnerships are becoming more complex. 

These partnerships may involve collaborations between academics or with external partners, such as community, industry, or government groups. How should researchers approach the complex issues that can arise around data ownership and sharing, publishing, conflicts of interest, and research quality and integrity?

As part of the University of Minnesota’s (UMN) Research Ethics Week, the College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) Research Office hosted a panel discussion to address these questions and more.

Moderated by Maxim Cheeran, professor in the Department of Veterinary Population Medicine (VPM) and associate dean for faculty affairs, the event featured:

• Peter Larsen, associate professor in the Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences (VBS) and co-director of the Minnesota Center for Prion Research and Outreach (MNPRO)
• Tim Johnson, VBS professor and director of research and development at the UMN Mid-Central Research and Outreach Center
• Tiffany Wolf, VPM associate professor and co-director of MNPRO, and associate fellow at the Institute on the Environment

The panelists fielded a number of questions around data sharing and publication, discussing how University policies, lab data management plans, contracts, memoranda of understanding, and reporting requirements can all come into play depending on the nature of the partnership. Throughout the conversation, the speakers emphasized the imperative for establishing and maintaining mutual clarity within and among collaborating teams. “The two key themes,” noted Larsen, “are communication, and ‘when in doubt, ask.’”

In addition to universal principles of ethical partnerships, the discussion also addressed issues specific to navigating the current uncertain research landscape. Johnson noted the importance of being prepared to pivot and “thinking about the Plan B always, before you even start the Plan A—thinking about the what ifs.”

Johnson suggested that especially for early-career researchers, for whom publication is a high priority, it’s valuable to think through those what-ifs in terms of tiering your data generation and use. 

“The first thing is to carve out is what data is going to be generated … what’s publishable from this no matter what?  So that way, irrespective of what happens, you’re going to have data you can put into a publication, and you don’t have to worry about other pressures,” he said.  

The panelists agreed that successful partnerships are built on a foundation of trust, and they offered practical strategies for how to develop relationships from the ground up—whether through existing networks, at conferences, or during chance encounters in a stairwell, as Larsen described. 
 

Whatever the circumstances, Wolf noted that it’s important to “stop talking and listen. Listen to what their needs are and stop talking about what we need.”

They also offered strategies for vetting potential partners, as well as advice on how to end a partnership if problems arise. 

“That process can also be done successfully,” Wolf noted, “and making an effort to do that responsibly is a win in itself.” 

The panel was part of CVM’s Research, Innovation, Discovery, and Education (RIDE) Seminar Series, which offers a platform for cutting-edge exploration and discussion in veterinary and biomedical research. 

Watch the full seminar below.