The professorship Not enough professorships to go round For the thousands of scholars who would like to be addressed as professor, there are a strictly limited number of chairs - and even fewer if you're a woman. According to cynics, administration is a dead end for those pursuing an academic career driven by research. Joe Plomin speaks to four department heads. The success of Britain's emeritus professors is putting paid to the view that an academic's best work is over by 30. But retiring professors also have to take a severe pay cut and lose the use of basic facilities.
Lecturers say they've waited long enough for a decent increase.
Academic reputations can be at stake, but for those who relish a fight the personal rewards can be great. Bruce Millar reports.