I used to just pile all my gentlemen into my colleges to research. I haven't tried stealing research too much, but after reading this thread I will try stealing research more often especially since more than 2-3 gentlemen doesn't aide in gaining tech speed anyway. I do use my gentlemen with dueling traits to target my enemy's gentlemen for elimination.

If you are caught attempting to steal research is it counted as negative points in the "They like me/They like me not" meter as the espionage/assassination attempts are?