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Peter Butler and Andrew Sturdy ("What doctors need is a dose of fairness", Letters, 31 May) suggest that in "The kindness of strangers" (24 May) I argue in favour of passing PhDs on compassionate grounds. If this is how people read my intent, then it is my mistake. I actually wanted to highlight the emotional burden the current system places on individuals, and I hoped to stimulate a discussion about bringing the process up to date in a way that is properly accountable and fairer to candidates, supervisors and examiners.

Chris Hackley, Royal Holloway, University of London