Because of low success rates of many research funding schemes, significant time and effort can be lost on only writing about, not doing, research. For the few who get funding, more time can be lost reporting against an unrealistic view that research proceeds exactly as pre-planned. Altogether this costs society in lost innovations and it costs researchers in terms of unrealistic performance pressures. It's time to re-think both funding and evaluation cultures and promote sustainable research(er) goals.

Geraldine Fitzpatrick is Professor of Technology Design and Assessment and heads the Institute of Design and Assessment of Technology and the Human Computer Interaction. She is also an ACM Distinguished Scientist.

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This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx