The death of Grace Archer is nothing to this. Recent goings on in Ambridge have kept lecturers on tenterhooks. The radio soap has introduced a Canadian academic recently employed at the local university on, wait for it ... a short-term contract. Excitement all round. Will he have his contract renewed or be forced to take hourly paid teaching? Will he be able to join a pension scheme? Will he take his employers to tribunal? Tune in next week, folks.