04 September 2012 34 5K Report

It is often mentioned that scientists or professors at universities do not need to be motivated by material incentives to do their work. As a result, classical incentive schemes as found in private business (bonuses, performance-related pay schemes etc.) do not seem to work in academia. Rather, professors should be free to conduct the research they want and teach the contents they like, as this would support their intrinsic motivation and lead to the best results.

On the other hand, rewards are manyfold in every competitive field of research: prizes, awards, publications in high profile journals etc. These are however all extrinsic motivators.

Do you think academics are mostly driven by their intrinsic curiosity and will to share their knowledge, or by the glory, influence and power that comes with success in research and teaching?

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