Four more academics have joined the protest over the further concentration of research. Some 34 panel chairs from the 2001 research assessment exercise have threatened to withdraw their help in identifying the very best work. The group - representing more than half the panels - seeks the abolition of the 5** rating, dubbed 6* in January's white paper, and the restoration of funding to departments graded 4, where research is considered nationally excellent. In a THES survey of the 26 panel chairs who have not joined the protest, three said they disagreed with one or more of the aims of the RAE.