Science in universities: Teaching, research and autonomy

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Abstract
Attitudes toward science teaching and research in universities have changed in the last 50 years. For example, it is suggested that some universities should just teach. I believe that this view is based on a misunderstanding of the inter-relationship between teaching and research. Attitudes to research have also changed, largely because of greatly increased costs. There is considerable pressure on universities to concern themselves in their scientific research on selected areas where there may be financial returns. The pressure is partly generated by the government's ideas on what is relevant to wealth creation but is partly inflicted by research councils which consist largely of university science professors. Science needs much money and professors have to get it. The risk is that the role of the universities as centres of independent critical enquiry will be forfeited.

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