Editorial. The Professor - 1964 - Analytical Chemistry (ACS Publications)

Editorial. The Professor - 1964. Lawrence T. Hallett. Anal. Chem. , 1964, 36 (9), pp 1697–1697. DOI: 10.1021/ac60215a600. Publication Date: August 1...
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A N A LVTICA L CHEMISTRV EDITORIAL August 1964,Vol. 36, No. 9

ANALYTICAL

CHEMISTRY

Director of Publications, Applied Journals, A C S , Richard L. Kenyon Director of Business Operations, Applied Journals, A C S , Joseph H. Kuney Executive Assistant to the Director of Publications, Applied Journals, ACS, Rodney N. Hader Assistant to the Director of Publications for Editorial Development, Applied Journals, A C S , William Q. Hull Director of Editorial Research, Applied Journals, ACS, Robert F. Gould Editor, LAWRENCE T. HALLETT

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The Professor-1964 N OT

TOO LONG AGO the university professor was looked upon as a man with ideas but no funds. Because of this lack of money, he could not afford to buy the equipment to carry out his projects or to attract graduate students to his institution. It is abundantly clear in talking to academic people and visiting their laboratories that times have changed and that the academic professor of science in today's scheme of things is indeed one to envy. Instead of antiquated equipment he has, often, many instruments costing $100,000or more. Some of the instruments, custom built for special research projects, are the envy of industrial research laboratories, where the staff often cannot justify such specialized equipment. With consulting commonplace and university salaries generous, the former cry of low pay but freedom is no longer true. Funds for travel a t home and abroad are part of the research grants under such largess. I n addition, the number of graduate students and postdoctoral students is increasing. We are pleased that analytical departments seem to be getting their fair share of such research funds. I n view of all this, the professor must realize that such an atmosphere should produce high quality research. On the receiving end, as an editor, there is some evidence that, while more manuscripts are being submitted to us, high quality is sometimes lacking. If the research is not up to the standard required for publication in a recognized Journal which uses a reviewer system, it weakens the institution's chances of receiving further grants. This new academic atmosphere should produce better trained research workers and industry should benefit from hiring these scientists. The research work published should certainly be top flight. In addition, this research should deal with fundamental problems-those that industry cannot afford to investigate. I n sum, the changed situation a t our universities should result in superior research, and consequently the benefits should flow through the scientific community and industry.

aVOL. 36, NO. 9 , AUGUST 1964

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