Over the past five years, the culture of Cambridge University has deteriorated substantially, as judged by the numbers of Data Subject Access Requests. These are often used by individuals in dispute with the University. They are a rough proxy for the number of staff grievances. The same pattern is seen Read more…
The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), introduced in 2018, was designed to give individuals greater control over their personal data. One of its key provisions is the Right of Access, which allows you to ask an organisation what information it holds about you, and to understand why and how it is Read more…
An interesting blog comment appeared on our earlier posting A Sum of Adders. Readers may recall this fable provided a graphic example of DARVO. This stands for Deny, Attack, Reverse Victim and Offender and is a standard response of Human Resources departments when someone senior is accused of misconduct. “I Read more…
In June 2025, two pressure groups — the 21 Group and For the 100 — announced that they were carrying out the first survey of both staff and students in UK Universities. A description of the purpose of the CTRL+ALT+DEL+UNIVERSITY survey is given here. The survey has 17 questions about Read more…
One of the rewarding aspects of a blog is the exchange of thoughtful comments. In this posting, we highlight a contribution from Justius in the thread here. While he or she is describing events at Cambridge University, the 21 Group has evidence that these issues are widespread across the UK Read more…
Freedom of speech was a defining issue in Cambridge University’s recent Chancellorship race. The victor, Lord Smith of Finsbury, told The Observer that it is “our touchstone”. He praised the Vice Chancellor’s passionate advocacy: “It’s why I’m delighted that since she arrived at Cambridge as our Vice Chancellor, Professor Deborah Prentice has Read more…
UCL has long and distinguished record of failure to deal with bullying and harassment. In 2021, Dr Christopher Backhouse, a particle physicist, was found to have carried out a prolonged harassment campaign against a fellow physicist Dr Erica Smith, as reported in The Guardian here. Dr Backhouse’s actions included: creating Read more…
Once upon a time, a Researcher discovered a rot in the roots of Knowledge. So he did what any honest creature would: he spoke. First in whispers, then in reasoned letters, he petitioned the Owls in their towers — the Senior Professors, the Heads of School, the Pro Vice-Chancellors, the Read more…
The standard practice of any Russell Group University when confronted with serious allegations against someone senior is the four stage process. Stage 1 is the Deliberate Stalling of investigations — especially when the accused is a Head of Department or a strategically important position. Delays occur through slow appointment of investigators, Read more…
Once upon a time, in a Department nestled within a Seat of Learning, there was a Researcher. One unusually bright winter day, the Researcher proposed a project for an internship scheme in the upcoming summer. Among the applicants was a clever Student with a High Widening Participation Score — a measure reflecting the Read more…