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While I agree that excellence in research comes through diversity (Research, THES, February 2), another factor is equality of opportunity for emerging subjects. Unfortunately it looks as though the 2001 research assessment exercise will fail on both counts for the allied health professions. Many HEIs have excluded researchers if they were deemed unlikely to get a 4.

This provoked grave concern at a recent meeting of the Research Forum for Allied Health Professions.

The RAE results are likely to inform future partnerships, which means many HEIs have ruled themselves out of supporting the health of the nation.

Irene Ilott
Group Head
R&D
College of Occupational Therapists