Professors: the one-in-ten

According to figures published in the Times Higher Educational Supplement (THES), 10 per cent of UK academic staff are now professors. Are standards slipping somewhat?

There were 1715 more professors in 2002-03 than in 1999-2000. Oxford University has 5.4 per cent professors and Cambridge about 10 per cent, but Essex University and the London School of Economics are pushing 20 per cent. Richard Wilson, a professor at Loughborough University, told the THES: 'There is a symbolism attached to the title professor. If we give these titles out willy-nilly, it debases the currency.'

While traditionally professors had to be both leading researchers in their field and active participants in the life and running of the university, many chairs are now awarded on the basis of teaching or administration. Universities - especially new universities - are struggling to attract high-quality staff, and seem to be issuing professorships as a lure. But while the marketisation of higher education has been the driving force for this process, it mirrors a general fall in standards throughout education. Expectations of excellence have been lowered, from schools through to the highest levels of academia. Wide access to high-quality education would be desirable, but this current hodgepodge seems to be making education worse, not better.

The result is more students who know less, being taught less, by more academics who are less well qualified.

Too many professors say academics, BBC News, 16 December 2004

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