Students should be told that universities are not there to protect their feelings, academics claimed today after a professor resigned over her views on gender.
Professor Kathleen Stock (48), an expert on gender and sexual orientation, resigned from her position at the University of Sussex after she was subject to bullying and harassment and called a transphobe.
And their colleagues are furious, demanding that students be told in freshers’ week by universities that they are there to uphold academic freedom.
Professor Michael Biggs, a sociology expert at Oxford University, stated that the universities are responsible for the ‘ludicrous culture’ at educational institutions, and not the students.
Academics today claimed that universities are not there for students to protect their feelings. Pictured: Professor Kathleen Stock, 48, an expert in gender and sexual orientation, quit this week after a ‘bullying and harassment’ campaign labelled her a ‘transphobe’
Professor Stock received death threats as a result of her ‘transphobia’ — an accusation she denies
According to him, The Daily Telegraph should not be seen as endlessly pandering towards students. Universities need to make it clear in the Freshers’ Week inductions that the institution exists to protect academic freedom. If they are not happy with that, they should leave.
Professor Stock received death threats as a result of her ‘transphobia’ — an accusation she denies.
The philosophy professor was at the centre of a blazing row — and a student-led protest — at the university after saying she believes gender identity does not outweigh biological sex ‘when it comes to law and policy’.
She also stated that people can’t change their biological sex, which provoked anger from protesters.
Professor Stock resigned on Thursday after stating that it had been a difficult few years and that she hopes other universities can learn from her experience.
Professor Alice Sullivan, a sociologist at University College London, stated that “I think what happened to Sussex is absolutely disastrous.” It’s a complete failure in management.
“The fact that Kathleen was forced out of her job is a scalpel for the bullies. It will inspire them to do the same thing again.”
Posters put up in the tunnel from Falmer station to the university’s campus earlier this month said she ‘makes trans students unsafe’ and ‘we’re not paying £9,250 a year for transphobia’.
In addition to holding banners stating “Stock Out”, hundreds of people were also critiquing her online under #ShameOnSussexUni.
Professor Stock announced on social media that it was sad to announce that she was leaving.
She said, “This has been an extremely difficult few years but the leadership’s recent approach has been admirable und decent.
“I hope other institutions can learn from this.
‘I’m especially glad that University stresses that harassment and bullying of anyone for their legal beliefs is unacceptable at work.
She said, “This has been an absolutely terrible time for me and all my family. I am now putting it behind my. I’m looking forward to brighter days soon, I hope.
Professor Stock stated previously that she is ‘at war’ with a large segment of academics because her belief in gender identity is not as important as facts about biological sexuality, especially when it comes down to policy and law.