Few female inroads

So Peterhouse, long regarded as the most reactionary of Cambridge colleges, has experienced a lightning conversion to the cause of equal opportunities ("The fellows pushing salad revolution", THES, March 19).

I read this feature with great interest, having recently been interviewed for a teaching fellowship at Peterhouse, and thus having witnessed the college's appointments procedure at first hand.

The master of Peterhouse, Sir John Meurig Thomas, is quoted as saying that "so-called affirmative action is not necessary" as "there are plenty of good female scholars around".

Curiously, however, this was not reflected in the composition of the shortlist of which I was part. Of the six shortlisted candidates, five were male, including the successful applicant. Of the six members of the interviewing panel, all were male. The only female member of the college that I glimpsed during my brief visit was a waitress at high table.

If the college is really serious about "questioning established practice", here are some of the proposals it might consider:

* adopt an equal opportunities policy

* ensure that women are represented on all appointments panels

* aim for an equal balance of male and female candidates on all shortlists

* draw up a code of practice for interviewers

* give student representatives a say in appointment to teaching posts.

Arnold Hunt University of Durham