RSP 406: Publication

To protect the mission of the university to carry out research in an open and unrestricted manner; specifically, to protect the rights of investigators to publish the results of their research and other sponsored activities

Arizona Board of Regents Policy Manual - 6–908, Part E

1940 Statement of Principles of Academic Freedom and Tenure set forth by the American Association of University Professors and the Association of American Colleges

General

The pursuit and communication of knowledge at Arizona State University are to be free from restrictions. The university endorses the 1940 Statement of Principles of Academic Freedom and Tenure set forth by the American Association of University Professors and the Association of American Colleges, which was reconfirmed in 1982 when the Faculty Senate recommended, and the university approved, the inclusion of the following statement in the Personnel Policies and Procedures for Faculty:

Institutions of higher education exist for the common good, and the common good depends on academic freedom: the free search for, and the free exposition of, truth. Academic freedom applies to both teaching and research. Freedom in research is fundamental to the true advancement of knowledge; academic freedom in teaching is essential for the protection of the rights of both the teacher and the student in the free exchange of ideas.

This principle places clear limits upon accepting grants, contracts, and other agreements that restrict the dissemination of information. Therefore, it is the university’s position that investigators and students must have the right to publish the results of their research and other sponsored activity, subject only to established safeguards for the protection of privacy and confidentiality of personal data.

Acceptable Restrictions

The university may agree to delay the submission of materials intended for publication for a maximum of 90 days to provide time for a sponsor to identify confidential or proprietary information that is protected under a sponsored agreement. In addition, because public disclosure of a patentable invention prior to filing a patent application will preclude the availability of patent protection in most countries, the university may agree to delay the submission of materials intended for publication for a maximum of 180 days in order to coordinate the invention disclosure process.

If an agreement prohibits or otherwise restricts publication by investigators or students beyond these guidelines, and the investigator wishes to pursue work under such an agreement, then a request for a waiver of university policy may be submitted to the Office of the Vice President for Research and Economic Affairs.

This petition must include:

1. title of the project, the funded amount, the sponsor name
2. abstract of the scope of work
3. documentation that publication of project results is prohibited or restricted
4. an explanation of why it is in the public interest to further delay or not to publish project results
5. an acknowledgement that unpublished work related to the project might not be considered for promotion, retention, and tenure decisions, therefore, investigators should state that they have consulted with their chairs and deans and understand the effect of such publication restrictions on their professional advancement

   and

6. an assurance that students working on the project will not jeopardize the fulfillment of their academic requirements because of the restrictions on publication.

The petition must be signed by the principal investigator and all other key personnel participating in the project.

For more information on how RSP policies are implemented during each phase of a project, see the ORSPA Web site.

For additional information on classified or proprietary research, see RSP 404,“Classified Research.” 

For information on academic freedom, see the Academic Affairs Policies and Procedures Manuals—ACD 201, “Academic Freedom.” skip navigation bar