At no point does the Arts and Humanities Research Board's submission to the research assessment exercise consultation say that musical performance "cannot be classified as research" ("Performers must face music and write", THES , November 28). On the contrary, we emphasise the primacy of creative and performance outputs in such research. What we say in addition is that a performance should not be expected to stand on its own as a record of the research process. Such outputs should include documentation that enables other academics to assess the research process and outcomes. The position we propose is accepted by the great majority of the research community in the creative and performing arts.
Michael Jubb
Director of policy and programmes
Arts and Humanities Research Board