COO at Federation of Asian Biotech Associations| Ex-EIT Health (European Union)| Stealth mode| Mentor| e-learning| Community building expert
The 'publish or perish' mentality is often seen as vital for life sciences careers. But I believe over-focus on publications can stifle true innovation. Here's my take... The Problem : I've seen brilliant researchers chase incremental studies to boost publication count, instead of risking time on the truly groundbreaking questions that could change lives. The pressure to constantly publish forces us to slice big ideas into publishable fragments, losing the potential of the whole. Worse, it can discourage pursuing those discoveries that might be better protected by patents. The Costs : When publication metrics become the primary goal, we risk rewarding quantity over impact. We miss the chance to nurture those 'out of the box' ideas that might not result in an immediate paper, but could lead to revolutionary patents and real-world applications. It breeds a culture of fear, where taking intellectual risks, pursuing long-term projects, and truly disruptive innovation feels too dangerous. A Vision of Something Better: Imagine if we valued intellectual property development as much as celebrated publications. What if we rewarded the pursuit of bold questions, even if they take years to answer and result in groundbreaking patents? True innovation thrives in a space where deep exploration, strategic patent protection, and collaboration are prioritized, not just the race for the next journal acceptance. Call to Action: We need a shift in how we measure success in life sciences. It's time to discuss alternatives that honor groundbreaking publications AND the long, messy process of true innovation, often resulting in life-changing patents. Let's build a scientific culture where the courage to explore big questions is celebrated just as much as the paper that finally unveils an answer or the patent that changes the world. #lifesciences #innovation #research #patents
NET Qualified| Assistant Professor| Biotechnology Professional| Patent holder
5moVery true