SCIENTISTS FOR EXPORT SIR, — Mr. Benjamin Spear tells us that the
'minor flood' of scientists emigrating from Britain to the United States is 'an export achievement of which no one can be proud.' Why not? I should have thought that British universities, at any rate, might be proud of exporting graduates to instruct what is, allegedly, the most advanced technical society on earth. The export of skilled workers has been a de- cisive aspect of British influence abroad for some 200 years, and I do not see why this continuing tradition should be represented as anything but a symptom of success.
The special problems of scientific departments in universities, such as the allocation of laboratory space, are all mysterious to a lecturer in English such as myself. But, after teaching in universities of various sorts in both countries, I think intending emigrants should be warned at our embarkation ports, if not before, that: 1. The standard of living of American academics is not observably higher than ours in real terms, and complaints about poverty and lack of social status are much commoner there than here;.
2. The teaching year in American universities is longer by months than here; 3. The teaching load there is heavier per week, and especially in paper-work; 4. The elected chairmen of American university de- partments commonly exercise greater powers over teaching than British professors do. In American universities I have visited the subjects of my courses have always been suggested—politely and intelligently, I warmly admit—by the chairman : here I am invited yearly to submit subjects I pro- pose to lecture on in the coming year, and no such submission has so far been questioned; 5. Most of the advantages which Mr. Spear thinks peculiar to American universities are already available here, at least in arts subjects. British lec- turers are free to teach in summer schools, to negotiate with outside bodies (e.g. Leverhulme) for research funds, to choose to teach graduates, to seek grants for assistants, and to enjoy freedom
to choose their subjects of research. Where are the British professors who forbid any of these St. John's College. Cambridge
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