1-Minute Survey | Navigating Student Protests and their Impact on University-Industry Collaborations
Student protests on university campuses against companies have sparked critical discussions about the intersection of academic values, corporate partnerships, and campus activism. These protests can influence how universities manage relationships with industry, from bourgeoning collaborations to long-standing partnerships. See the full survey results here.
This survey was in the field for a week and received 51 responses from UIDP member universities. Of those respondents, 41% reported student protests targeting university partner companies on campus.
When asked about how the protests have impacted relationships with companies, just over half (55%) reported that there were minimal or no effects on their partnerships, while 22% of respondents said that their partners had chosen to reduce their presence on campus. Other respondents gave specific information on incidents at their campuses, though largely reported minimal long-term impact on partnerships.
When asked about resources, strategies, or best practices that would be helpful in managing the challenges posed by campus protests, several key themes emerged:
- Educate and engage in dialogue with student protestors,
- Be clear and direct with companies about the potential for protests and their impact, and
- Develop institutional policies both for campus protest protocols and approaches to introducing potentially controversial partners.