Research Activities

Potential for conflict originates when external funding of a primary duty (most often research, scholarship, or creative activity) has the potential for influencing a faculty member's University responsibilities. Your first question for potential faculty exposure for conflict of interest involves participation in Research Activities.

- Is the faculty member conducting or participating in a clinical trial or the development of a technology, process, or product owned or controlled by a business in which they, an immediate family member, or an associated entity has a financial or business interest?

Given that the faculty member has funded research, if one or more of the following also occur, the combination could indicate a potential conflict of interest. You might ask:

- Does the faculty member assign students, postdoctoral fellows, or other trainees or employees to projects supported by a business (through sponsored research or a contribution) in which they, an immediate family member, or an associated entity has a financial or business interest (other than royalty income)?
- Does the faculty member receive University-supervised sponsored research support or contributions (whether in dollars or in kind) from a business in which they, an immediate family member, or an associated entity has a financial or business interest?

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