Dear Nerida,
I'm unable to answer your questions directly, but I simply wish to say that I
sympathize with the situation you find yourself (along with our other Australian
colleagues). England is also caught up in definitions of what is worthwhile and what
isn't with regard to the leviathan known as the Research Assessment Exercise (RAE). A
high rating brings some money from the government; a low one brings a few peanuts. In
September if people ask me what I did for my summer vacation, I will reply that I
spent it preparing the documentation for a dry run of the RAE. This wouldn't be so
bad if it weren't for the fact that the actual submission date is during the Spring
of 2001. And, of course, if it didn't take up most of the only precious time I've got
to dedicate to research during the course of the year!
The words 'bloody farce' come to mind, but I dare not use them in such august
company.
:-)
Actually, now that I think of it, I recall hearing a member of the previous RAE panel
for Italian say that the works submitted to it were examined and judged solely on the
quality of their contents, and not by the name of the publisher.
Best wishes,
George
George Ferzoco tel ++ 44 (0)116 252 2654
Director of Italian Studies fax ++ 44 (0)116 252 3633
University of Leicester e-mail [log in to unmask]
School of Modern Languages
LEICESTER LE1 7RH
UNITED KINGDOM
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