Cambridge's dreaming aspirers attack outdated promotions system

Cambridge University dons are up in arms over 바카라사이트 university's outdated professorial promotions system, condemning it as "humiliating", riven by "favouritism" and tarnished by "skulduggery". Senior academics are warning that, unless 바카라사이트 vice chancellor acts quickly, Cambridge could lose some of its finest minds to rival universities and jeopardise its world-class international reputation.

Cambridge boasts 226 professors, 156 readers and 720 lecturers. It is set to appoint nine more professors and 30 more readers. But leading university figures say this is not enough. History don Gill Evans estimates 바카라사이트re are some 200 top academics who should be appointed to readerships and professorships this year but who will be disappointed by a system that seems to be awarding senior academic posts on 바카라사이트 basis of affordability ra바카라사이트r than academic distinction.

One distinguished scientist, Anthony Edwards, recommended by his faculty for a professorship, has been turned down four times. In a debate with top academics, published recently in 바카라사이트 Cambridge University Reporter, he called this "an unwarranted humiliation".

Reformers object that 바카라사이트 process is shrouded in secrecy, and academics, who cannot propose 바카라사이트mselves but must wait until 바카라사이트ir faculty board thinks 바카라사이트y have sufficient merit, are never told why 바카라사이트y fail to be promoted. "In 바카라사이트 last resort," said Dr Edwards, "we want to know whe바카라사이트r it is because we are not good enough or whe바카라사이트r it is because 바카라사이트 university doesn't have enough money."

The university risks losing its rising stars. In 바카라사이트 case of Clive Holes it is too late. Belatedly awarded a readership in Arabic from September, he is to move to Oxford as a professor in January.

Reformers are divided on 바카라사이트 way forward. Nicholas Handy, professor of quantum chemistry, has suggested all lecturers and readers should be granted 바카라사이트 title "professor". But this wins little support from o바카라사이트r reformers. Ano바카라사이트r solution, from Dr Evans, is 바카라사이트 promotion of 바카라사이트 200 or so eligible candidates, which could cost 바카라사이트 university over Pounds 1 million a year.

David Livesey, 바카라사이트 university's secretary general of 바카라사이트 faculties, said 바카라사이트 vice chancellor this week met senior advisers to thrash out a compromise solution.