ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵ

So women professors are paid less than their male counterparts at the University of Central England ("'Deplorable' pay inequity persists", September 30). Never let the facts get in the way of a good league table.

The policy at UCE and a number of post-92 universities is that the professorial title is an academic honour not a salary grade. The title can be held by individuals who are senior lecturers who have made significant academic contributions, as well as by elderly and crusty pro vice-chancellors approaching the twilight of their careers.

This university has a rigorous job evaluation scheme of such stupefying complexity that it ensures equal pay for work of equal value. There are issues of equal pay that still need to be addressed, but your league table did nothing to assist that work, even if it is gratifying to see Oxford University in bottom position, and probably deservedly so.

Peter Knight Vice-chancellor University of Central England