The news that libraries are dumping 2 million items a year neatly solves the problem of the next research assessment exercise. I hereby propose "skip-based assessment" as the way forward. Academics would be rewarded for each copy of their books that remains on the shelves, but lose points for every item found in a skip behind the library. Let's really start treating the RAE as the pile of rubbish we all know it to be.
Neil Badmington , Cardiff.