UK: Assessors wreathed in secrecy

11 May 2008

British academics have become so frustrated by secrecy surrounding the research assessment exercise, or RAE, that they are being forced to deploy the Freedom of Information Act against their own assessors, reports The Times.

RAE panels, which conduct an annual evaluation of the quality of academics' work, were recently instructed to destroy documentation showing how they reached their decisions, reports Times Higher Education. This would protect them from freedom of information requests and "the associated burden", say instructions issued by RAE managers last November.

The University and College Union (UCU) is fighting back through an emergency motion from its Higher Education Committee. It will submit a monthly freedom of information request, for all RAE panel evidence including personal notes and draft minutes.
Full report on The Times site

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