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Having failed in three attempts at promotion in the last 12 months (one internal and two external) I was arrested by the picture of the new honorary doctor of civil law, Howard Phelps, on the Noticeboard page (THES, January 26) Who are the talented people that get the honours and the lolly, I asked. What did I find?

Honorary degrees: 11 men Chairs: 13 men and 2 women Fellowships: 15 men and 2 women Appointments: 4 men Promotions: 5 men Apparently the best man nearly always won? Maybe I should revert to stereotype and cry!

Pamela Lomax Professor of educational research, Kingston University