Efforts by one of the colleges of the University of London to shift teaching and research resources from civil into biomedical engineering have met with strong resistance from employees over fears that the civil engineering staff are likely to be made redundant.

The reorganization is being justified by Queen Mary and Westfield College both as a reflection of changing patterns in student demand, and as a way of building on the college's research strengths, as measured by its performance in the research assessment exercise (RAE) (Nature Med. 4, 990; 1998). Although many higher education establishments are known to rearrange departments to optimize RAE score, on which government funding is partly based, this is believed to be the first such drastic remodeling undertaken for this purpose.

"Like all universities, we are trying to plan for the next RAE, which is due to be held in 2001, and as part of this we are trying to improve our research profile," says college spokeswomen Delia Ray. According to Ray, the college is attempting to build on its existing strengths in biomedical engineering, particularly in areas such as cochlear implants and artificial joints. "There has been a shift in focus, and this appears to be an area in which the government is interested."

The Association of University Teachers (AUT), which represents university lecturers in their negotiations with universities over pay and conditions, is threatening to 'gray-list' the college if it proceeds with this course of action. This would involve warning those seeking employment at, or academic collaboration with, the College that the AUT disapproves of its employment practices. Because of the AUT pressure, the college has agreed to delay the date by which it has asked for volunteers for redundancy until April. It is hoping that the offer will be taken up by those close to the end of their academic career who are considered less 'research productive' than others.