http://static.guim.co.uk/static/c55907932af8ee96c21b7d89a9ebeedb4602fbbf/common/images/logos/the-guardian/news.gifBy. Two facts of academic life: the students get younger each year, and the criteria of university promotion panels grow more fantastic. I’m in the midst of writing references for colleagues applying for professorships at several British universities, every one of which requires its chairs to be “global leaders”. More...