We need lots of things, but taxpayer-funding of NGOs (which is what universities are; non-government organizations) typically leads to corruption and poor results, with even less oversight than when government does something itself. Global warming "science" is a good example, as is "vaccine" research, as is . . . (pick your area).
Here's physicist Sabine Hossenfelder on the topic of publicly-funded science:
This is nothing other than the problem of the stupid customer. If the work measured by the annual reports is not up to snuff, then the grants should be curtailed. I've done grant-based research work, and have produced degree theses as documented output. A good part of the research work and funding goes to the support of graduate students as research assistants. If the work is not being evaluated, then the customer is stupidly throwing money out the window with no discernible benefit.
Either that (partial taxpayer ownership of inventions that are created using taxpayer funds) OR just stop giving tax dollars to the damn universities.
EDIT: I probably don't have to add that Option #2 makes more sense . . .
I like the number one option. We do need progress.
We need lots of things, but taxpayer-funding of NGOs (which is what universities are; non-government organizations) typically leads to corruption and poor results, with even less oversight than when government does something itself. Global warming "science" is a good example, as is "vaccine" research, as is . . . (pick your area).
Here's physicist Sabine Hossenfelder on the topic of publicly-funded science:
https://greatawakening.win/p/19AdlF7SoI/physicist-sabine-hossenfelder-sl/
You are right. Any field or anywhere, you can find corruption.
This is nothing other than the problem of the stupid customer. If the work measured by the annual reports is not up to snuff, then the grants should be curtailed. I've done grant-based research work, and have produced degree theses as documented output. A good part of the research work and funding goes to the support of graduate students as research assistants. If the work is not being evaluated, then the customer is stupidly throwing money out the window with no discernible benefit.
Also, might actually be Constitutional too.