“It is disturbing to hear in recent weeks the unthinking responses to Melbourne University Press changes, that books from the academy would not be worthy of general readership or publishing,” Monash VC Margaret Gardner told staff Tuesday.

We do not need to apologise for what we do, nor the importance of university research and education to the betterment of our society. But we are reminded that we cannot assume that the impact of what we do is well understood, and that we need to communicate this to a broad public.” Presumably she meant her university’s own list, combining peer-review with a general appeal.