Publication Policy [May 30, 2007]

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University of Toronto Governing Council


PUBLICATION POLICY

May 30, 2007


To request an official copy of this policy, contact:

The Office of the Governing Council
Room 106, Simcoe Hall 27 King’s College Circle University of Toronto Toronto, Ontario
M5S 1A1

Phone: 416-978-6576
Fax: 416-978-8182
E-mail: governing.council@utoronto.ca
Website: http://www.governingcouncil.utoronto.ca/
 

PUBLICATION POLICY

Since the dissemination of knowledge is one of the primary functions of the University, university research should be such that the results may be freely published or otherwise promptly disseminated. Publication can take a number of forms and occur in a variety of media, both in print and electronic, including academic journals and conferences, dissemination through websites, and public discussion among colleagues.

Results of research undertaken in the University shall be fully publishable with the following qualifications:

  1. Where a sponsor has intellectual property rights arising from a research project for which it wishes to obtain statutory protection, an agreement with the sponsor may provide for a short delay for protection, provided that:
    (a)    normally, no delay will exceed 90 days from the date of submission of the manuscript or presentation to the sponsor;
    (b)    in no event will any delay exceed 6 months from the date of submission of the manuscript or presentation to the sponsor; and,
    (c)    publication of the thesis of a graduate student will not be delayed, unless permitted by the regulations of the School of Graduate Studies.
  2. The University may agree to receive information identified as “confidential” or “proprietary” from a sponsor if such information is essential to facilitate performance of a research project and maintaining such information in confidence would not preclude the publication of University research results.
  3. If a sponsor is given the right to publish University research results and there is any change in the sponsor’s publication from the original report, the names of the University and the report’s authors shall not be used in connection with the sponsor’s publication without the written consent of the University and the authors.
  4.  No agreement with a sponsor for research involving human subjects may preclude the disclosure of research results to study subjects and/or their lawful representatives, study steering committee, relevant research ethics boards at the site and at other participating study sites, and regulators, if and when the investigator, University and/or research ethics board deem disclosure necessary to protect the health of study participants, or where disclosure is necessary to obtain and maintain informed consent.
  5. In this Policy, the term “research” is broadly defined and is intended to include all forms of research and scholarship, whether or not grant supported. This Policy applies to all members of the University who conduct research and to all agreements entered into by the University in respect of research.
  6.  In consultation with the office of the Vice-President, Research and Associate Provost and subject to the provisions of this Policy, divisions may introduce guidelines as appropriate to their particular research circumstances and the norms of their disciplines. In extraordinary circumstances, the Vice-President, Research and Associate Provost or his/her designate may authorize exceptions to this Policy if such exception does not result in censorship of University research results.

May 30, 2007, replacing the Policy approved on February 27, 1975.