Section Two of the document, "Approaches to Developing an Institutional Conflict of Interest Policy," addresses the process of building consensus when creating such policies in a university setting. The section notes that universities approach policy development in ways aligned with their unique governance structures, often forming committees with broad representation, including faculty, staff, students, senior officers, and, where relevant, representatives from affiliated organizations or boards. Multiple models exist, such as staff drafting policies for constituent review or providing background analyses to inform decision-making groups.
The composition and structure of committees are emphasized as crucial to the effective identification and management of institutional conflicts of interest. The document highlights the importance of involving senior faculty from diverse disciplines, staff from key administrative offices (such as General Counsel, Financial Management, and Sponsored Programs), and, where appropriate, representatives from local economic entities or the university's Board. The participation of these members is seen as vital for both the comprehensiveness and acceptance of the policy, ensuring that technical expertise and a broad understanding of the research environment underpin the policy's development and implementation. The section concludes by noting that involvement from university executives should be carefully considered to balance leadership and flexibility during policy formulation and adoption.
