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

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॥ॐ॥
अस्य श्री गायत्री ध्यान श्लोक:
(gAyatri dhyAna shlOka)
• This shloka to meditate personified form of वेदमाता गायत्री was given by Bhagwaan Brahma to Sage yAgnavalkya (याज्ञवल्क्य).

• 14th shloka of गायत्री कवचम् which is taken from वशिष्ठ संहिता, goes as follows..


• मुक्ता-विद्रुम-हेम-नील धवलच्छायैर्मुखस्त्रीक्षणै:।
muktA vidruma hEma nIla dhavalachhAyaiH mukhaistrlkShaNaiH.

• युक्तामिन्दुकला-निबद्धमुकुटां तत्वार्थवर्णात्मिकाम्॥
yuktAmindukalA nibaddha makutAm tatvArtha varNAtmikam.

• गायत्रीं वरदाभयाङ्कुश कशां शुभ्रं कपालं गदाम्।
gAyatrIm vardAbhayANkusha kashAm shubhram kapAlam gadAm.

• शंखं चक्रमथारविन्दयुगलं हस्तैर्वहन्ती भजै॥
shankham chakramathArvinda yugalam hastairvahantIm bhajE.

This shloka describes the form of वेदमाता गायत्री.

• It says, "She has five faces which shine with the colours of a Pearl 'मुक्ता', Coral 'विद्रुम', Gold 'हेम्', Sapphire 'नील्', & a Diamond 'धवलम्'.

• These five faces are symbolic of the five primordial elements called पञ्चमहाभूत:' which makes up the entire existence.

• These are the elements of SPACE, FIRE, WIND, EARTH & WATER.

• All these five faces shine with three eyes 'त्रिक्षणै:'.