University of Turin Scientists Employ Squeegees to Protest Berlusconi Governmental Reforms. (November 18, 2004)

    The following text is reprinted in its entirety from Nature's November 18^th  "News in Brief".

[Turin] Scientists from the University of Turin in Italy flooded onto the streets with squeegies last week to clean car windscreens in a protest against proposed university reforms.

    The changes, put forward by Italy's research minister, Letizia Moratti, include the abolition of the academic category of 'researcher', the only position for academics below a professorship.

    The reforms were approved by the government in January and will be discussed in parliament next month. This could give them the final stamp of approval.

    Italian scientists have spent the summer staging a range of innovative protests, including a funeral for universities and a lecture series in a pizzeria.