If we funded universities through their ablest researchers, then we wouldn't need to spend such enormous efforts in assessing the research of all the different departments in all of Britain's universities. In short, we'd be far more efficient and that in turn would release senior academics to spend more of their time doing research. Admittedly, some senior academics don't do much research any more and like to serve on committees. But that's fine. Let them help administer their own universities, rather than leaving it up to administrators with little or no experience of what it's like to combine full-time teaching with a full research programme.

It's all too easy for university administrators to impose extra burdens on their academic staff. When I was a professor at Birmingham there were seven levels an exam had to pass through before it could be given to the students. Yes, I'm all in favour of checking exams, and in mathematics whoever sets the exam must provide fully reasoned answers - questions that look straightforward may show unanticipated glitches when you work through them as if you were a student. But too much time is spent calling in people from outside the university. I don't dispute the need for external assessors when giving the final degree, particularly in subjects where political or cultural prejudices may come into play. But there is a tendency in Britain today for everyone to be looking over everyone else's shoulder. It wastes time, resources and energy. And now some administrators want us to keep tabs on class attendance and report significant absences to the Home Office.

The more time research and teaching staff spend on administration, the less time there is for good teaching and good research. Already, a significant proportion of pupils from the country's top schools are going to study in America. We won't keep them here or attract good foreigners by elaborate examination protocols or by pursuing non-attendance in class, but by broadening the scope of the education we offer and providing a stimulating environment for learning and research. And, of course, by having world-beating research at our universities.