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Since it is clearly stated in Nottingham Trent University's strategic plan that its aim is "to achieve sustainable growth in the quality and volume of research", I was surprised and disappointed by your article "Research staff hit by shift to teaching" (August 19). This is not an accurate characterisation of research at Nottingham Trent.

Research activity across the university is at unprecedented levels. We have appointed, and intend to continue to appoint, academics with a record of success in their field of expertise to professorial and research posts.

The university continues to attract very significant external funding and in the past year has invested strategically in the development of young researchers, launching a promising new researchers' programme and a vice-chancellor's student bursary scheme to attract top-quality PhD students.

At the same time, four associate deans of research have been appointed to drive the development of research, including investment in research areas that will mature well beyond the lifetime of the next research assessment exercise, thereby building a powerful and sustainable research base within the university.

Peter Jones
Pro vice-chancellor (research and business development)
Nottingham Trent University