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The 21 Group has long argued that the University of Cambridge needs an independent Ombudsman to address serious abuses. At present, the University does not have an Ombudsman. Instead, it relies on a Board of Scrutiny (BoS). Although the BoS does not possess the same authority or powers as an Ombudsman, it can nonetheless conduct Read more…
Following last week’s diary entries on the impact of bullying on a young academic, this week another victim from Cambridge University steps forward to speak out. In this instance, the mistreatment of the early career researcher has been reported to the pro-Vice Chancellor for Community and Engagement. He has failed Read more…
Nothing surprises us about university HR departments any more. Last week, The Times and Personnel Today reported an extraordinary story. A famous UK university, which is currently implicated in a case involving allegations that a senior professor sexually harassed a female colleague, has been granted complete anonymity by an Employment Read more…
Too often, the voices of those who have suffered bullying in Universities go unheard. Their pain is hidden behind a culture of fear and silence. Their experiences are dismissed by the very systems and people who are meant to protect them. The 21 Group has published the experiences of victims Read more…
A brief post to show that the blog is hitting new heights. The blue line is the chart of visitors to the 21 Group blog site (sessions per month versus date). Each of these sessions has on average 3-5 page views. The red line is three-month rolling average. It’s very encouraging that visits Read more…
The modern university is a place where exposing misconduct is a disciplinary offence, and protecting senior professors is a core value. The victimisation is usually performed by the institution itself –- either by the HR and Legal Departments, or the Heads of School, or the VCs and pro-VCs or the Head Read more…
The Vice Chancellor of Cambridge University’s Annual address was given on 1 October 2025. A written version is here. This is the Alternative Vice Chancellor’s Annual Address. “I came from 3000 miles away. When I arrived, I knew little about this University. Over the last three years, I have learnt Read more…
The President of Murray Edwards College, Dorothy Byrne, has been “stepped down”. Dorothy Byrne’s Wikipedia entry records that she served as President of Murray Edwards College from 17 September 2021 and “stepped down” on 31 August 2025. Murray Edwards later announced Dr Rachel Polonsky as Acting President (announcement posted 16 September 2025). That confirms a Read more…
Let’s take five while we await the outcome of a (Professor at a) prominent University’s Carter-Rucking the UK media (or in Private Eye parlance, Carter-Fucking) On an earlier thread, the poster called ‘TheResearcher’ made an intriguing suggestion: “I would be game if a few of us come together to write Read more…
Extraordinary events are unfolding at a Newspaper. A hugely damaging story about Consigliere University is about to be published. The Vice Chancellor of Consigliere University sanctions its silencing. The Editor of the Newspaper calls his CEO once the implications of taking on Consigliere University become clear. The CEO orders the Read more…