It is not surprising that the young and the old do the most, according to Professor Brinkworth. They are the only people liberated from administration. This year's Reith lecturer, Professor Tom Kirkwood from Newcastle University, agrees that the issue is not that retired people are more creative, but rather that senior academics are overburdened. But Professor Kirkwood believes that some retired academics are more original than their younger competitors. Young people can be more conservative, wanting a safe job, while older researchers feel they have already earned their spurs and can afford to take risks.
Civil servants receive a pension worth around two thirds of their salary.
There is widespread indignation about that inequality. But then, people do not become academics for the money. The more fundamental loss is the use of facilities and research money. With departmental offices and budgets already overstretched, it is hard to justify expenditure on retired hangers on. For his work, Professor Battersby had to make private applications and appeal to industry.