AbstractThis paper discusses the ways in which institutions and academics might creatively determine their plans for research, in the light of the assessment exercises.It is difficult to know how to be systematic and optimistic about generating and completing research; most of the best efforts come from individuals’ own initiatives rather than from the proddings of an assessment machine or a quality industry. That does not mean, however, that we should not try to think about research in a systematic fashion but the system does little to help us do so.The second problem is that the policies underlying the assessment exercises are largely wrong, and designed to be purgative rather than developmental, reductionist rather than a contribution to creating a larger and more useful scientific base in this country.The paper spends some time on these uncertainties, because they inevitably affect what academic groups just coming to terms with the research mission can and should do. It then discusses ways in which academics can build up their own academic mandate