1/13 One quarter of young academics have been bullied. I am one of them. I am sharing this letter and chain of tweets to ensure future student and staff safety. I wish I didn’t have to.

My statement https://t.co/jRooscrLhx

@AcademicChatter #PhDChat @ThesisWhisperer

2/13 I experienced and witnessed years of bullying and harassment by Professor James E.M. Watson (@cyclonewatson) at the University of Queensland and on Wildlife Conservation Society projects he supervised

@TheWCS @UQ_News @UQ_CBCS @UQ_SEES @fairwork_gov_au @arc_gov_au
3/13 The bullying had detrimental impacts on the health and wellbeing of myself and other victims. The bullying was serious enough to cause me anxiety and complex trauma, a form of PTSD. This was confirmed by independent #mentalhealth professionals.
4/13 My story highlights a deep bullying issue in academia. The system lacks transparency and doesn’t account for power imbalances. Silence is not neutral. It is complicit with a culture of secrecy and fear conducive to bullying. We must change the system and speak out
5/13 I am going public as a last resort. For the last year I have been unable to make progress through formal complaint channels. I don’t believe UQ has done enough to protect former, current and future staff and students. So I want to set the record straight.
6/13 I know of 7 people who complained in 2020 to the UQ Dean of Science, Professor Melissa Brown about bullying, harassment and misconduct by Professor Watson.
7/13 UQ formally investigated the allegations but refused to allow complainants anonymity and gave their names to Professor Watson. This put us at risk of victimisation and frightened others into staying silent
8/13 Misconduct allegations against Professor James E.M. Watson were substantiated by UQs investigation.

UQ is trying to keep the investigation and its outcome confidential.

@TheWCS @UQ_News @AcademicChatter #PhDChat @arc_gov_au @NatGeo
9/13 UQ refused to tell me which allegations were substantiated, not substantiated, if any were disproved, what actions they took to ensure staff and student safety, and won’t provide evidence their investigation was rigorous and conflict of interest free.
10/13 I encourage others to report further (or past - it is never too late) incidents, and to consider going public so it is not covered up. Professor Melissa Brown is responsible for ensuring Professor Watson does not bully again so should be informed @MelissaBrownAus
11/13 I am grateful and thankful to everyone who supported me during the bullying and equally harrowing complaint process. You know who you are and what your support means to me.
12/13 I have immense respect for the bravery and courage displayed by others who came forward and complained, risking their careers and personal safety in the process. Thank you.
13/13 Again, here is my full public statement

https://t.co/jRooscrLhx

@TheWCS @UQ_News @AcademicChatter #PhDChat @arc_gov_au @NatGeo

More from Society

A long thread on how an obsessive & violent antisemite & Holocaust denier has been embraced by the international “community of the good.”

Sarah Wilkinson has a history of Holocaust denial & anti-Jewish hatred dating back (in documented examples) to around 2015.


She is a self-proclaimed British activist for “Palestinian rights” but is more accurately a far Left neo-Nazi. Her son shares the same characteristics of violence, racism & Holocaust denial.

I first documented Sarah Wilkinson’s Holocaust denial back in July 2016. I believe I was the 1st person to do so.

Since then she has produced a long trail of written hate and abuse. See here for a good summary.


Wilkinson has recently been publicly celebrated by @XRebellionUK over her latest violent action against a Jewish owned business. Despite many people calling XR’s attention to her history, XR have chosen to remain in alliance with this neo-Nazi.

Former Labour Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell MP is among those who also chose to stand with Wilkinson via a tweet.

But McDonnell is not alone.

Neo-Nazi Sarah Wilkinson is supported and encouraged by thousands of those on the Left who consider themselves “anti-racists”.
Hi @officestudents @EHRC @EHRCChair @KishwerFalkner @RJHilsenrath @trussliz @GEOgovuk

The Equality and Diversity section of your job application has 'gender' in what appears to be a list of the protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010.

However...

1/15


However, 'gender' is not a protected characteristic under the Equality Act 2010 and is not defined in the Act.

https://t.co/qisFhCiV1u

Sex is the protected characteristic under the Act, but that is not on your list.

2/15


You then ask for the 'gender' of the applicant with options:

Male
Female.

3/15


Again, 'gender' is not a protected characteristic under the Equality Act 2010 and is not defined in the Act.

https://t.co/qisFhCiV1u

4/15


Sex is the protected characteristic and the only two possible options for sex are 'Female' and 'Male' as defined in the Act and consistent with biology, but you don't ask for that.

https://t.co/CEJ0gkr6nF

'Gender' is not a synonym for sex.

5/15

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