Laurie Taylor

"Men are invited to apply for editorships of journals - women have to seek out these opportunities" Report from Women in Higher Education conference, THES December 1.

Lapping speaking.

Gordon, you old devil. It's Tom here. How's tricks?

Tom?

Tom Kenyon. Media studies. Uttoxeter. Remember our little knees-up in Umbria last year after the Digitising the Future conference?

Of course. Tom. How goes it?

Not too bad. Looks as though we might get a four in the next RAE if I can screw another half dozen articles out of the two departmental deadbeats. Talking of the RAE, I might be able to throw an editorship your way if you're so inclined.

Well, I'm a bit pushed at the moment.

No problem. Remember Pam?

I can't say I do.

Our departmental secretary. She'll handle the admin side. All you'll have to do is occasionally suggest a couple of your old mates in media studies as referees and then make the final decision about whether to publish. Shouldn't be more than a couple of days' work a term.

What's the journal?

Well, I think we've spotted a gap in the market. There are plenty of journals about women's studies and plenty about the media. But so far no one in this country has put the two together. And that's basically our idea. The British Journal of Women in the Media . Can we count you in?

Only too pleased.

Excellent. I'll get our Pam to give your Maureen a ring and they can sort out the details. They'll probably enjoy the work.

How's that?

Well, it's a journal about women and they're both women.

I take your point. Anyway, nice to speak to you Tom. Love to your wife. Margaret isn't it?

Janet actually. And all the best to Mrs Lapping. Ciao for now.