Let the right ones in

I am quite shocked that the number of “ghost” authors is so high and that there are therefore a significant number of academics who are cutting out graduate students and postdocs from receiving credit for the publication of their research efforts (“Credit where it’s due”, 24 August). This really does damage the long-term future of science by denying young researchers the publication record that is so critical in gaining funded support to develop an independent research career. I can’t see how their inclusion as co-authors can in any way damage a professor’s own record in many of the disciplines listed. It seems mean-spirited.

Christopher Satterley
Via timeshighereducation.co.uk