Free Pecking Order by Chris Simms Page B

meaning to see you about it, but with the end of term we're all so busy...'
    'Go on,' nodded the chancellor encouragingly.
    'Well, if we do win the project I'll actually need to take on a couple of researchers who will be required to assist in some lecturing duties too. One of my tutees has already expressed an interest in any position. She's in line for a first, takes an active role in student affairs and is, I believe, an ideal candidate. Salaries for a basic grade researcher-stroke-Iecturer could be comfortably covered by funds from the ESPRC grant, quite apart from what we could also apply for from the Higher Education Funding Council for England.'
    'Excellent,' beamed the chancellor. 'Well all that will need to go into your proposal. And Eric, you mentioned to me the other day that you're looking at some issues not related to care of the elderly. Was it something about the ethics of modern-day food production? It sounded most interesting.'
    Eric coughed uncomfortably, glanced at the chancellor then, looking down at his coffee cup, hesitantly began to speak. 'Um, it was a consideration, yes. But early investigations have been problematic. You see, the last thing these places want is any publicity.' Making up an example to illustrate his point, he added, 'I wrote to a meat processing plant just the other day enquiring about taking groups of students around - it supplies most of the major fast-food outlets in the region with their burgers. My request was flatly refused. What goes on in these places does so very much behind closed doors.'
    'That's a shame. So have you anything else in the pipeline?'
    Eric desperately searched his mind for something to say. 'Yes there's some debate in palliative care circles about government-funding for hospices. It could be an interesting research project.'
    'Is this in response to a project on which the ESPRC is currently calling for proposals?' asked the chancellor.
    'No,' replied Eric. 'I would apply for a single research grant. Perhaps myself and another colleague.'
    'But no firm financial figures yet?'
    'No, but obviously my early career as a social worker is a big bonus and palliative care was as much an issue then as it is today. In fact nowadays it's even more relevant, with the ever-increasing size of the elderly population.'
    The suggestion was greeted with a strained silence and the chancellor struggled for something to say, 'As an archaeologist you'll have to forgive my ignorance, but palliative care is..?'
    'Care of the dying,' Eric replied matter of factly. 'Terminal illnesses - cancer and so forth.'
    'Good,' said the chancellor. 'Good.' As if repeating the word would make his utterance of it any more convincing.
    'Well, Lesley will be sending you both the proposal forms in the next few days. So if you could find some time in the coming weeks to complete and return them.'
    As he put his coffee cup on the tray he noticed the copy of the New Statesman on the table. 'Oh, Patricia,' he said, picking it up. 'I loved your piece on the undermining of senior female officers within the police. "Witch Hunt", a very provocative title. And always good to see the university receiving mention in such high-profile publications.'
    As they all got up, Patricia replied, 'Thank you, Chancellor. An edited form of the article will be appearing in The Observer next Sunday too.'
    'Very good,' he said, then turned his attention to Eric who was standing silently to one side like a butler. 'Thank you both very much for coming in, and sorry to have to finish your summer terms on such a note.'
    After shaking his hand at the door, Eric and Patricia continued across the lobby area and out into the hallway. Once on the steps outside, Patricia breathed deeply. 'So the rumour becomes reality. I suppose I shouldn't be shocked.'
    Eric just nodded grimly.
    'Well,' she hesitated, hoping they were going in separate directions. 'I'm parked over there. 'Whereabouts are you ...'
    'That way too,' he answered.
    They