Indentures are a sign of universities' decline into a factory system
Unpaid research posts represent the latest step in the 'proletarianisation' of the academy, argues Ross Perlin
Unpaid research posts represent the latest step in the 'proletarianisation' of the academy, argues Ross Perlin
Ken Pounds ponders whether the Mars Science Laboratory's success will revive public interest in going boldly where no one has gone before

Although the annual Clearing exercise that began this morning can traditionally generate some anxious moments and even a certain amount of friction as under-quota departments compete for candidates,...
Few will disagree with Simon Gaskell's fine summary of the past and present merits of Queen Mary, University of London ("From here to posterity", Opinions, 9 August), least of all those who join with...
It is certainly odd that Simon Gaskell's response to his critics devotes very little space to their criticisms. He says that the criteria used to fire people "were based on generally recognised...
Simon Gaskell admits that the capability of individual academics was assessed under a restructuring exercise, in contradiction of Section 139 of the Employment Rights Act 1996. Adding to this insult...
You recently highlighted how 130 gifted Brazilian science students have been pushed into the arms of US universities by the UK Border Agency's English-language requirements ("Brazil's brightest head...
Martha Biondi claims that the Harvard University student strike in April 1969 had as one of its demands the creation of black studies ("Let academic freedom ring", 9 August). No, it didn't. I was...
Regarding "So long UK, thanks for all the loans: we'll be in touch ..." (News, 9 August): just 9 per cent of European Union students are in arrears, not almost half as stated in the article's picture...
What a "surprise" to read of the threat posed by EU student loans. This has been obvious from the start of this ill-conceived policy. But such practical considerations are irrelevant to the...
John Radford ("Precise definitions", Letters, 2 August) is correct in his general thesis. However, his example of the slight contretemps between Holmes and Moriarty at the Reichenbach Falls ("The...
There have been two letters from Jennifer Jenkins (26 July and 9 August) in which she has accused Michael Hollas of imagining there is some "golden age" of correct English.In his letter ("Singularly...
At the risk of incurring more sarcasm from Jennifer Jenkins, why is the correct use of Greek and Latin neuter nouns being construed as a change in the use of English? Do global Englishes have...

The government has reluctantly shelved its bill governing foreign education partners, reports Joanna Sugden from New Delhi
To maintain its reputation for trustworthiness, the academy must ensure that its scholarly scepticism is not misapplied