The pressure on academics to publish in so-called "prestigious" journals is already having a detrimental impact on the likelihood of writing for, and working with, campaigning groups. Such activities, while socially progressive, count for absolutely nothing in the marketised world of the research assessment exercise. Academic freedom, social relevance and intellectual innovation are all placed at risk by a game that will have the predictable outcome of making the rich universities yet richer, the poor even poorer.
Joe Sim and Steve Tombs
Liverpool John Moores University