# 21percent.org

> The 21 Group


## Posts

- [Love, Sex and Tragedy](https://21percent.org/?p=3528): Recent disclosures in The Times and Daily Telegraph concerning Simon Goldhill must have come as little surprise in King’s College or the Classics Faculty at Cambridge. His pattern of conduct extended over many years — arguably decades — and was widely recognised among colleagues. It was remarked by a Fellow of King’s that any eventual wave of accountability, such as that associated with the #MeToo movement in 2017, would inevitably result in his downfall. This did not happen and Simon continued to act with relative impunity. During the 2000s, Simon held a leading role in overseeing research governance at King’s, […]
- [Towards the Iceberg](https://21percent.org/?p=3509): In the case of Dr Oliveira, the 21 Group awaits the outcome of the Disciplinary Hearing against him held on 13 April 2026. After being mistreated in the School of Physical Sciences, Dr Oliveira refused to be silent. The University of Cambridge are now arguing that Dr Oliveira is being “unreasonably persistent“. Yet history reminds us that those involved in the Post Office scandal were once dismissed in similar terms — only to be later completely vindicated. Having looked at the evidence, the 21 Group believes Dr Oliveira — like the sub postmasters — has a very strong case. We reproduce below […]
- [Tongue in the Ear](https://21percent.org/?p=3485): As reported by The Times here and Daily Mail here, Prof Simon Goldhill of King’s College, Cambridge and the Faculty of Classics has been found guilty of sexual and professional misconduct. The only thing at all surprising about this is Cambridge University has actually managed to find someone guilty. There have been a series of problems with regard to sexual harassment at Oxford University over the last few years. From Al Jazeera’s ‘Degrees of Abuse’ podcasts to the recent scandals involving the Saïd Business School, the trouser-dropping behaviour of Prof Miles Hewstone and the conviction for rape of Prof Tariq Ramadan, […]
- [From a Midlands University](https://21percent.org/?p=3474): The 21 Group is always willing to report accounts of victimisation and bullying in Universities. Please use contact@21percent.org to tell us your story. This contribution comes from a Lecturer at a University somewhere in the Midlands. “I moved to a Lectureship in the English Midlands from abroad a few years ago. At first, it felt like a fresh start. There was enough time to focus on research, and I genuinely enjoyed teaching my students. I felt I was making good progress and building a meaningful career. I was happy in my new job. After a few years, I applied for […]
- [ The Case of Dr Oliveira](https://21percent.org/?p=3449): Dr Oliveira posts as ‘TheResearcher‘. Dr Oliveira has been associated with the University of Cambridge, including as a postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics and as a PhD student in the Department of History and Philosophy of Science. He has publicly raised concerns regarding his treatment, including in The Reporter here. The 21 Group has reviewed certain aspects of Dr Oliveira’s concerns, including the conduct of individuals within the School of Physical Sciences, and has spoken with a number of relevant witnesses. On the basis of this preliminary review, the Group considers that there is material which […]
- [Ssssh ...](https://21percent.org/?p=3433): The 21 Group has received a request to partly redact a blog comment because of a claimed breach of confidentiality. In this instance, we have agreed to do so, whilst pending legal clarification. Confidentiality is context-dependent. There are legitimate, even necessary reasons to keep certain Human Resources (HR) matters private: protecting victims’ identities in instances of serious sexual assault, preventing the suborning of witnesses and complying with data-protection laws. Professional ethics reflect this: the code of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) requires safeguarding confidential and personal data. In practice, assuring some confidentiality (e.g. keeping details of complaints limited […]
- [An Exchange with 'The Financial Times'](https://21percent.org/?p=3422): The Financial Times recently reported its 2026 employer rankings, based on data from Statista. To the surprise, consternation and disbelief of many, Cambridge University emerged in first place. After a short but necessary period of institutional composure, the 21 Group respectfully submitted a letter to the Editor: Dear editor@ft.com, We write concerning the article “Cambridge University comes first in employer ranking” by Laura Whitcombe, published 11 March 2026, which follows the earlier article “UK’s Best Employers 2026: ranking” published on 24 February 2026. Please treat this message as a formal request for both (1) correction and (2) access to the data underlying […]
- [Watching the Detectives : Workplace Investigators](https://21percent.org/?p=3386): Here, we take a look at the role of external companies called into universities to assist in HR matters. B3Sixty is a Human Resources (HR) consultancy firm that focuses on investigations, mediation and resolving workplace issues. The firm is led by senior HR practitioners (usually former HR directors) with backgrounds in universities and public bodies. They are often used by universities and public bodies to provide external investigations into workplace disputes. Universities, who are their clients, view them as independent, experienced and useful for sensitive cases. People on the receiving end of their investigations often view them as aligned with the […]
- [The Streisand Effect Hits Oxford University](https://21percent.org/?p=3368): The Streisand Effect refers to the phenomenon whereby attempts to suppress information instead amplify it. For Barbra Streisand, it arose from a privacy claim over a photograph of her Malibu residence. Image 3850 (shown) of the California Coastal Records Project had been downloaded  only six times prior to Streisand’s privacy lawsuit, two of those being by Streisand’s attorneys. After public knowledge of the lawsuit, 420000 people downloaded it the following month. Similar dynamics can occur in universities. In Employment Tribunals, when cases are particularly sensitive, institutions may seek to suppress information through gag orders, reporting restrictions, or complete anonymity for the respondents, departments, or […]
- [Tick, tock, tick, tock ....](https://21percent.org/?p=3370): During any appointments process, candidates should disclose any current or pending Employment Tribunal proceedings in which they are a party where such proceedings could reasonably be considered relevant to their prospective employment or to the interests of the organisation.
- [The HR-ification of Cambridge University](https://21percent.org/?p=3341): This week, the growth of Human Resources (HR) has been in the news because of a publication from the centre-right think tank Policy Exchange. Its report on the growth of HR has received widespread attention, eg in The Times and BBC Radio 4. The most striking claim is that the UK now has almost twice the workforce employed in HR as the EU, and 60% more than the US. The HR Review is a news and information resource for human resources and related professionals. It somewhat gleefully agrees that the number of HR staff has grown substantially in the UK. […]
- [Letter to Editor of 'Financial Times'](https://21percent.org/?p=3333): Dear Editor The Financial Times’ recent ranking of the UK’s “Top 400 Employers” has been greeted with interest and puzzlement. Several results appear curious. For example, the strong performance of organisations facing well-reported financial and governance difficulties or even near-collapse, including the University of Dundee, is striking. The generally high placement of universities sits uneasily with the widely reported structural and financial pressures currently afflicting much of the UK higher-education sector.  Such results naturally prompt a data-literate reader to ask what features of the methodology might be producing such bizarre outcomes. The published description indicates that the rankings combine direct […]
- ["Dr" Ann Limb of Lucy Cavendish College](https://21percent.org/?p=3316): This image is taken from the listing of “Fellows of the Colleges” published in The Reporter here on 19 January 2026. Following an investigation by Gabriel Pogrund, Whitehall Editor of The Sunday Times, it was admitted that Ann Limb’s claims on her cv that she had an MA and a PhD were false. Those of us who completed a doctorate in the proper way — by undertaking the programme and having our thesis rigorously examined and approved — know that using the title “Dr” is a matter of choice, not obligation. The legitimacy of calling oneself “Dr” depends entirely on […]
- [BS from the FT](https://21percent.org/?p=3293): The Financial Times (FT) yesterday provided a list of the top 400 employers here. It is based on a joint survey carried out by themselves and Statista. It placed the University of Cambridge at the very top. Statista is a market research/data aggregator company. Statista itself describes its rankings as “recognizing top employers and helping companies benchmark and promote themselves“. Companies that perform well in their rankings can advertise this, use it in recruitment, marketing or enhance employer branding. Statista explicitly contacts winners with instructions to access award portals and claim awards. They are predatory fauna in the corporate branding ecosystem. […]
- [The Cloisters of Power: Hiring at Cambridge](https://21percent.org/?p=3254): Dr Bernhard Fulda is a College Teaching Officer (CTO) at Sidney Sussex College, University of Cambridge. He is also Affiliated Lecturer in the Faculty of History. In 2023, he applied for a permanent University Teaching Officer (UTO) position in Twentieth-Century German History in the Faculty of History, but was not appointed. (The successful candidate was external to the College system). Dr Fulda took Cambridge University to Employment Tribunal. He alleged that the Faculty applied an informal provision, criterion or practice that disadvantaged CTOs in hiring for UTO posts, which he argued amounted to indirect age discrimination under the Equality Act. He claimed that such a practice was entrenched over many years and disproportionately affected […]
- [University HR Failures Will Soon Carry a Real Price](https://21percent.org/?p=3229): The UK government’s decision to remove the statutory cap on unfair dismissal compensation is one of the most important structural reforms affecting accountability in higher education in a generation. For decades, Universities have operated within a legal framework that placed an upper limit on the financial consequences of unfair dismissal. The limit is now set to disappear, as discussed here. This is a potential game-changer — it will fundamentally alter the incentive structures that have encouraged rotten institutional behaviour across UK Universities. Under current law, compensation for unfair dismissal is capped at the lower of one year’s salary or £118,223. […]
- [Attack on Tenure at the Cambridge Vet School](https://21percent.org/?p=3216): Before 1988, academics in permanent posts in the UK could only be dismissed for serious wrongdoing or failure to perform their duties. This gave them strong protection comparable to tenured professors in North America. The Education Reform Act of 1988 changed this by permitting redundancies on standard ’employment law’ grounds, meaning that universities can eliminate posts if they decide to scale back or discontinue certain activities. Since then, the strength of a UK academic’s position has depended less on a concept like “tenure” and more on the governance structures of their particular institution. A crucial feature of the 1988 framework […]
- [A Brutal Plot](https://21percent.org/?p=3198): At the University of Cambridge, higher-paid groups see larger pay increases over time, leading to ever- widening inequality. The plots show how pay departs from the University of Cambridge average across progressively smaller, higher-paid groups. The outer layer is the “Golden Fifty,” the fifty highest earners, introduced before. Within this sits the “Inner Five”, the five highest earners, narrowing to a single apex: the Vice-Chancellor. The plot is the difference between the average of the higher-paid groups and the average pay of all staff in each year. The gap between the highest- and lowest-paid groups has steadily widened over time. Nominally […]
- [Cambridge University and the Lost £1.3 Billion](https://21percent.org/?p=3186): Here, we will track the real performance of Cambridge University’s endowment over time and isolate the impact of administrative spending growth above inflation. We express values in constant 2025 pounds, taking inflation into account through CPI index, and we benchmark investment performance against the MSCI World Index. We show a counterfactual scenario as to what the endowment would have been if administrative costs had been frozen in real terms at their 2011 level. The gap between the actual and counterfactual endowment values represents the cumulative opportunity cost of excess real administrative spending, showing how above inflation administration growth compounds into […]
- [The 'Golden 50'](https://21percent.org/?p=3181): The mean inflation-adjusted pay of University of Cambridge staff has been flat for more than a decade. In isolation, that might sound like stagnation. In context, it is far more revealing. When pay rises are captured by those at the top, the average should rise. If it does not, there is only one possible explanation: most workers are losing ground. To make this distributional reality explicit, we divide staff into two groups: the “Golden 50”—the fifty highest earners—and “the Rest” or everyone else. The graph shows inflation-adjusted pay, benchmarked to 2019, with the Golden 50 in red and the Rest in […]
- ["I Want Money, That's What I Want"](https://21percent.org/?p=3167): The 21 Group has extracted some statistics from the University of Cambridge’s End of Year Financial Reports. They make interesting reading. Given this background, we highlight again the interesting contribution made on the previous thread by Autophagy here The corruption has advanced in several phases 1. In the first phase, senior administrators awarded themselves outsized salaries and benefits, as well as outsourcing contracts and favours2. This generated resentment from other senior stakeholders, notably senior professors. The first solution was to add more senior executive roles in the administration and tell these professors that if they were “good” they too could […]
- [Cambridge and the IT Trap?](https://21percent.org/?p=3146): In our previous posting, we raised the issue of the spending by departments and central administration at Cambridge University, based on the End of Year accounts here. As illustrated in the Figure, adjusting for inflation reveals that departmental budgets since 2016 are flat then fall. At the same time, the same restraint has not been applied centrally. Expenditure on central administration has surged across the same years, growing at a rate well above inflation and with little evident connection to the needs of teaching and research at the departmental level. The 2025 central administration spending datapoint is anomalously high, so […]
- [What's Gone Wrong at Cambridge?](https://21percent.org/?p=3137): Cambridge’s problem is not lack of money. It is where the money goes. Over the past decade, the university has steadily starved its academic departments in real terms — while allowing the central administration to expand at pace. The result is a university increasingly run around teaching and research rather than for them. The plot uses data taken from the University’s Financial Statement for year ending 31 July 2025 here. We have accounted for inflation using the Consumer Price Index. Let’s start with the people who actually teach students and produce research. As the Figure shows, once inflation is taken […]
- [The Year of the Fire Horse](https://21percent.org/?p=3097): Harvard Business School is well-known for its case-based learning model, which includes real-world examples of companies and organisations that failed. Universities are brand-driven institutions. Brand-dependent organizations unravel quickly when misconduct and corruption is exposed. The 21 Group predicts in ten years time, there will be Harvard Business School MBA course on “The Decline and Fall of Consigliere University”. This is what the next few months hold Two leading members of Consigliere University’s Human Resources and Legal divisions are facing charges of defamation and malicious falsehood after doctoring references in a promotion case involving a junior Professor. The matter throws into […]
- [Investigating the Untouchable](https://21percent.org/?p=3082): Imperial College London has a formal zero-tolerance policy on bullying and harassment. Like many universities, however, that policy is hardest to enforce precisely where power is greatest: among the senior leadership team. Professor Alice Gast was a chemical engineer who served as 16th President of Imperial College, London from 2014 to 2022. The President is the Chief Executive Officer, who acts as the Vice Chancellor. She was at the time the most highly paid Vice Chancellor in the United Kingdom. Prof Gast recently passed away from pancreatic cancer. A generous personal tribute is here, whilst an assessment of her scientific and […]
- [Revenge and Renewal at Cambridge University ?](https://21percent.org/?p=3073): The Registrary of the University of Cambridge, Ms Emma Rampton, has announced that she will step down from her role on 31 December 2025 here. Her decision comes at the end of a year marked by considerable institutional turbulence. This has included a disorderly Chancellorship election, a protracted and ongoing disciplinary investigation involving another very senior figure, the announcement — and subsequent withdrawal — of the appointment of a new Chief Financial Officer and repeated press allegations of bullying and harassment seemingly tolerated at the highest levels of the University. The period was further destabilised by the unprecedented leaking of […]
- [Power Play at the Cambridge Vet School](https://21percent.org/?p=3038): The oligarchy has come back for the Cambridge Vet School, as reported here by the BBC. An attempt was made to shut the Vet School last year because of concerns over its accreditation. Now they have returned with new arguments that it is financially unviable. The power play began by putting a gun to the Heads of the Biological Sciences Departments. They were told that they would have to carry the Vet School’s debt and pay for new Vet School buildings (~£20m). It is well known that the University want the Vet School off the West Cambridge site so they can […]
- [You don't Need a Lawyer!](https://21percent.org/?p=2979): An interesting Employment Tribunal case has appeared on the gov.uk website that records the Tribunal decisions F versus University of Nottingham has few details, though it is related to disability discrimination. (In cases involving disability discrimination, the Tribunal may make a “Restricted Reporting Order” (RRO) where evidence of a medical nature may cause serious harm or embarrassment if publicly exposed). The subject matter of the case is not our interest here, though as usual a University was behaving badly. F won. In two judgments on 9 and 19 Septembers 2025, F won a total of £56,920.64 in compensation. F was […]
- [Fight Back at Oxford](https://21percent.org/?p=3000): Our colleagues in Oxford University are showing us the way. As another article appears on sexual harassment in Oxford in The Times, we learn that Oxford academics are now putting a motion to Congregation on the secrecy about bullying and harassment, protesting the use of gagging orders, non-disclosure agreements and corrupt investigation practices. We need to do the same. Our bullying and harassment stories need publicity, our bullies and harassers need naming in the press and we need to take to our own motions to Regent House. There are so many administrators in Congregation (more so in Oxford than Cambridge) […]
- [Who leaked?](https://21percent.org/?p=3007): The real story is: Who made this recording at Council and then leaked the story to the press in an attempt to discredit the Vice Chancellor? And why? According to a leaked recording obtained by Varsity and The Sunday Times, at Monday’s meeting of Cambridge’s University Council – the University’s policy-making body of college heads, senior academics and student representatives  The ABC of Leaks is; A – Leaks happen if shared purpose & trust has gone. The present senior management has lost the confidence of large parts of the University, though this process was well underway before the present Vice Chancellor took office. […]
- [Fast Track to Bankruptcy](https://21percent.org/?p=3001): The infographic shows the number of staff employed in the Human Resources division in Cambridge University over time, together with simple parabolic fit to the data. We can see a very steep rise since 2021 that still is continuing apace (despite budget cuts for everyone else!) We highlight the contribution from poster Human Resource here. “I think if management consultants took a look at how the university is run they’d be in total despair. Our goals are supposed to be to helping scholars to maximise delivery on teaching, research, impact and grant income. Instead of resolving minor squabbles HR ignore […]
- [While The Iron is Hot ...](https://21percent.org/?p=2983): Katherine Griffiths‘ article in Bloomberg has reignited press interest in bullying & harassment at UK Universities. The 21 Group has zero sympathy with the predicament of Oxford University. They should have acted on the earlier allegations in al Jazeera’s series  ‘Degrees of Abuse‘. They didn’t. It’s no surprise to us that the problem has returned. We also know that there are more cases of sexual harassment pending at Tribunals, and — shamefully — there are more victims being pursued by Oxford University’s hyper-aggressive lawyers. We look forward to these stories breaking. We will break them ourselves, if need be. The […]
- [Cambridge Under Scrutiny?](https://21percent.org/?p=2965): We reproduce an interesting contribution from poster Review below The poster suggests that Cambridge University is facing problems over transparency and governance, with concerns about unchecked administrative spending and unclear budgets. The post raises questions about accountability and oversight. The Board of Scrutiny called for greater openness in its Thirtieth Report published in The Reporter here Comments, criticisms and corrections are welcome.  “I welcome input from those able to provide correction or clarification.  1. The function of the Board of Scrutiny is to provide independent oversight over university operations in particular accounts and spending, which feature prominently in recent reports […]
- [Sex Gargoyles of Oxford](https://21percent.org/?p=2949): A brutal article by journalist Katherine Griffiths is just out in Bloomberg, exposing the utter failure of Oxford University to deal with harassment and bullying. Seven women have alleged rapes or sexual assaults across the university in the past five years, while more than 30 described direct experiences of sustained harassment or bullying.  The article exposes whatever everyone in academia knows. Powerful male academics in senior positions can carry out abuse and repeated acts of misconduct for many years, protected by senior management or Human Resources. Those who speak out face serious personal or professional repercussions. They are retaliated against. […]
- ["The Faculty hates women"](https://21percent.org/?p=2925): A UK University has been using gagging orders to silence victims of sexual harassment at Employment Tribunals, as noted in The Times and discussed here. In 2021, Al Jazeera carried out a landmark investigation into sexual harassment at the University of Oxford. This forms parts 1 and 2 of their ‘Degrees of Abuse‘ series available here. (Incidentally, why was it left to Qatar-based Al Jazeera to do this? Where are the UK journalists and broadcasters? Oh, of course .. they want their sons and daughters to go to Oxbridge or they want to become Masters of Colleges.) The investigation identified two Oxford professors (Andy Orchard […]
- [An Extraordinary Announcement](https://21percent.org/?p=2909): The University of Cambridge astonished everyone yesterday with this posting here We would like to provide an update on senior leadership positions in the University. Following recent changes and ongoing transitions, the University has decided not to proceed with the appointment of a new Chief Financial Officer at this time. This decision reflects the need to maintain stability and continuity in our leadership team and is in no way a reflection on the successful candidate. As a result, and with considerable regret, we confirm that Rita Akushie will not now be joining the University as our new CFO. We and […]
- [Our Universities are the next Post Office Scandal](https://21percent.org/?p=2896): (Image of Paula Vennells is public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.0) The Post Office Scandal is the defining event of 21st century Britain. Between 1999 and 2015, about 1000 sub-postmasters were wrongly prosecuted for theft because of faults in the Post Office’s IT accounting system. The Post Office senior management, headed by Paula Vennells, knew the software was faulty but pursued convictions for years, destroying livelihoods, reputations and lives. A shocking injustice was carried out at the instigation of a few, but condoned by many, and met with the silent consent of politicians, civil servants and the judiciary. […]
- [The Gaming of Athena SWAN](https://21percent.org/?p=2867): Athena SWAN is run by Advance HE. Universities pay fees to Advance HE for assessment, application and renewal of the Athena SWAN accreditation. Advance HE is a company limited by guarantee (as well as a registered charity). The company is owned by two bodies of the higher education sector – Universities UK and GuildHE. Their members are the Vice Chancellors or the Principals of all the UK universities. Advance HE’s Board is listed in its Annual Report. The current Chair is Professor Mark E. Smith, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Southampton. The Board is composed almost entirely of Vice Chancellors or other members […]
- [Have You Ever Betrayed Anyone?](https://21percent.org/?p=2858): (Video clip from Googlebox, hat-tip to Plashing Vole on BlueSky) “Have you ever betrayed anyone?” “Well, I work in HR” “So, yeah” This video clip is for anyone working in UK universities.
- [Board of Scrutiny's 30th Report](https://21percent.org/?p=2852): 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 limited investigations and identify some areas of concern. (Unfortunately, the University can then ignore the BoS). The Thirtieth Report of the Board of Scrutiny has recently been published in the Reporter here. It addresses a wide range of issues, including finance, teaching, sustainability and people. We reproduce the section on people below. A discussion of […]
- [I Loved My Life Until ...](https://21percent.org/?p=2837): 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 to act for months, despite receiving Whistleblowing and Safeguarding disclosures in August 2025. There seems to be a disparity between the words in the ‘Dignity at Work’ video above and the actions of some senior University officers. As this is another disturbing story, we emphasise anyone experiencing bullying should get […]
- [Sex, Lies and Senior Faculty](https://21percent.org/?p=2819): 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 Tribunal judge. The university requested the confidentiality order, citing concerns about safeguarding its reputation and that of its staff. The judge approved the request, but did not provide any legal justification for the decision. We do not know which university this is. There are some obvious clues in the story, […]
- ["... this is the Real Cambridge"](https://21percent.org/?p=2793): 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 in UK universities before, including The Bullying of Hannelore, Lined up Against the Wall and Shot, and Misogynistic Bullying in the Research Centre. Today, the 21 Group is publishing extracts from the diary of an academic and victim. The material is distressing and contains expressions of intent to self-harm. All […]
- [Statistics of the 21 Group Blog](https://21percent.org/?p=2786): 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 are increasing so rapidly. It suggests that the blog is providing a new space for discussion of some serious problems afflicting the UK Universities. We recommend using a VPN when commenting. For those universities who monitor social media, please note that the 21 Group will never divulge any information about […]
- [Silenced?](https://21percent.org/?p=2769): 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 of Research Integrity. This stands in stark opposition to the very purpose of the university and to the values and aspirations of the academic community it exists to serve. The gravest cases are, at present, obscured from the broader community (and perhaps even from some individuals in positions of authority). […]
- [The Alternative Vice Chancellor's Annual Address](https://21percent.org/?p=2757): 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 a lot. I have learnt that this institution systematically engages in the victimisation of early career academics, whistleblowers and survivors of misconduct, particularly when senior academics are implicated. Much of this victimisation is carried out directly by the institution itself — through Human Resources, Legal and Heads of School. Such […]
- [The Despatching of a President](https://21percent.org/?p=2746): 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 leadership change after Byrne’s departure, but the College announcement does not give a reason for Byrne stepping down early. The College was also clearly not prepared for the event. The single most common reason why College Presidents, Masters or Provost leave early is that they have lost the support of […]
- [Voices of the Victims](https://21percent.org/?p=2729): 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 a book on how the University of Cambridge changed our lives. “Breaking the Silence” campaigns are curiously missing the view of the victims. I reckon that book would be a best seller and we could even donate any profits.” [TheResearcher] A recent parallel — though not on bullying — is […]
- [A Fable of Consigliere University](https://21percent.org/?p=2723): 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 story be pulled. The fable goes like this: Prominent and newsworthy Professor Molloy has been accused of plagiarism. The evidence is overwhelming. His students are speaking out. The press sniff the scandal. Predators smell the blood. A feeding frenzy is about to begin. Professor Molloy was appointed with much fanfare […]
- [How to Deal with Plagiarism](https://21percent.org/?p=2688): Accusations of plagiarism are damaging to famous universities. As Richard Posner in The Little Book of Plagiarism notes, an author’s name “establishes a brand identity . . . in the market for expressive goods.” In contemporary academia, originality is no longer tied solely to the scholar. Professors themselves are brand assets, their reputations for innovation are woven directly into the university’s corporate identity. So accusations of plagiarism are exceptionally dangerous for a top university, as it infects and destroys the brand. Fortunately, we have uncovered the standard UK University Manual for dealing with plagiarism allegations. This is what Research Integrity […]
- [The End of Times?](https://21percent.org/?p=2675): University HR departments are facing the end of times. Longstanding practice has been to lie, dissemble and cover up. This reduces most victims to pulp. In a small minority of cases, the victim takes external action. Then an insurance policy protects senior managers against legal claims. Cases are settled with costly payouts, legal bills and non-disclosure agreements (NDAs). These practices fostered a long-standing culture of impunity, allowing senior figures — heads of house, departments, faculties schools, senior administrators and HR business partners — to do what they want. They could act without fear of reputational, career or financial consequences. This […]
- [SH and Oxford University's Spin Machine](https://21percent.org/?p=2666): The Dean of Oxford’s Saïd Business School, Prof Soumitra Dutta, has resigned after three years in the role. According to Bloomberg, an investigation upheld three harassment policy breaches reported by a female academic. Prof Dutta’s name has been removed from the Said Business School webpages, though Balliol College has not been so swift in the cancelling. (Later edit: Balliol woke up) The Oxford Spin Machine has been working in overdrive. Remarkably, it is not even clear from Bloomberg’s article that the harassment was sexual, save from the University’s own oblique statement. The university has a “strong framework of support in […]
- [The Master of St Machiavelli's College](https://21percent.org/?p=2655): The 21 Group runs an occasional series on the fictional doings of the Masters of the Colleges. Readers may remember the controversial election of Kerris Bowles-Ottery as Master at St Judas, as well as a spot of bother for Wendell Lacksworth over at Slaughterhouse College. Now comes news of the slippery behaviour of Lord Glossover running St Machiavelli’s College. Of course, this is just a story. No real Master of a real College — when presented with evidence of wrongdoing — would behave like this. Lord Glossover, the Master of St Machiavelli’s College, sat in his oak-panelled study, staring at […]
- [Whistleblowing at University of Limerick](https://21percent.org/?p=2645): The University of Limerick (UL) has been busy writing its own comic verse. The foxes were guarding the pen,Investigating their own sins again,Conflicts ran rife,As Transparency’s knife,Was blunted by paper and pen. At the centre of the doggerel is a €12.65 million property splurge on 20 houses in Rhebogue — a deal approved at €10.88 million, then inflated because costs are just suggestions to university senior managers. The University President at the time, Professor Kerstin Mey, happily signed off the extra spending, as a bit of extra sugar on the strawberries. Ireland’s Comptroller & Auditor General later found UL had overpaid by […]
- [OSCCA 101: Student Complaints](https://21percent.org/?p=2628): 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 in the steady increase of staff referrals to Occupational Health. The workforce has become increasingly stressed and unhappy. What about the students? OSCCA is the Office for Student Conduct, Complaints and Appeals at Cambridge University. It remains far less known than it should be. Yet the volume of student complaints […]
- [The Deluge of DSARs](https://21percent.org/?p=2606): 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 being used. This process is carried out through a Data Subject Access Request (DSAR). Every individual has the right to know and obtain information about how their personal data is being processed. You can exercise this right easily, at reasonable intervals, and use it to verify the lawfulness of data processing […]
- [They have fangs, they have teeth](https://21percent.org/?p=2593): 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 was shocked to stumble across this piece of ‘fable’, and even more surprised that it is published and endorsed by a supposedly reputable professor. He cannot have been unaware of the various well-documented racist tropes, particularly those relating to animalization and serpentine metaphor, deployed here in ways that have a […]
- [CTRL+ALT+DEL+UNIVERSITY Survey:  Update](https://21percent.org/?p=2571): 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 discrimination, bullying, harassment and lack of care. Whether staff or student, if you have been mistreated, then please tell us. We will be reporting the worst-performing universities to the regulators. We have not finished data-taking. So please help us bring accountability to the seemingly untouchable elite who run our universities […]
- [University Blues](https://21percent.org/?p=2554): 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 higher education sector. “The reason that a culture of institutionalized bullying developed is twofold. First, the university has an insurance policy against legal cases brought against senior managers and administrators. And second, the university has a history of always settling cases – often at phenomenal financial cost – shortly before […]
- [The Freedom to Agree](https://21percent.org/?p=2532): 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 placed such emphasis on the free interplay of speech and ideas. She has introduced a series of Vice Chancellor’s dialogues as a forum for modelling constructive disagreement and encouraging engagement with different opinions.” [Lord Smith of Finsbury] Too often, “freedom of speech” is invoked as the right to criticise others—never […]
- [UCL -- Unethical Conduct Labs](https://21percent.org/?p=2496): 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 fake Twitter accounts in Dr Smith’s name; posting fabricated pornographic images and false claims portraying her as a sex worker; publishing her real phone number, leading to numerous unsolicited sexual advances from strangers; signing her up for far-right hate groups and fetish websites; arranging unwanted deliveries like adult diapers to […]
- [A Sum of Adders](https://21percent.org/?p=2478): 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 Registrar, the Vice Chancellor and even the great Chancellor of the Forest. He asked, not for vengeance, but for truth: Would someone — anyone — examine the facts? But the Forest was still. Not one voice stirred. The Owls blinked. The Foxes turned their coats. The Toads reflected on the immense […]
- [The End for Non-Disclosure Agreements?](https://21percent.org/?p=2458): 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, requests for further documentation from complainants, “paused” investigations during academic holidays or while staff are on sabbatical, repeated restructuring of complaint processes mid-case. This wears down the complainant who may give up. Stage 2 is the Minimisation and Reframing. Bullying is often reframed as “personality clash,” “performance management,” or “misunderstanding.” Human […]
- [The Story of the Snake -- A Fable](https://21percent.org/?p=2443): 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 adversity he had overcome. The Head of Department saw the High Widening Participation Score and was pleased. The Researcher was encouraged to support the Student, who had expressed a desire to work on the Researcher’s project. After a fruitful meeting, the Researcher and the Student refined the project. The Student eventually submitted this […]
- [Lord Smith Wins Cambridge Chancellorship Election](https://21percent.org/?p=2418): The results of the Single Transferable Vote election for the election of the Chancellor of Cambridge University are shown above. Congratulations to Lord Smith of Finsbury who won the election. We wish him well in his new post. The announcement of the result by the University of Cambridge is here. Some observations on the results:
- [Chancellorship Candidates are Dismal](https://21percent.org/?p=2407): The Chancellorship candidates are a mediocre bunch, according to The Critic. In the Times Literary Supplement, Mary Beard was uninspired. In Reaction, Adam Boulton was unimpressed (except by his friend, Lord Browne of Madingley). The consensus is that this is a dismal group of people to choose between! I agree with them, and I’m one of the candidates! Previous scientists who became Chancellors include Lord Rayleigh (Nobel Prize for Physics 1904), Lord Adrian (Nobel Prize for Physiology 1932). Whilst I am proud of my scientific contributions, I obviously recognise they’re not in the same class as those distinguished scientists. I […]
- [What can the Chancellor of Cambridge University Actually Do?](https://21percent.org/?p=2398): It is often said that the role of the Chancellorship is purely ceremonial. In recent years, this has certainly been the case. The pattern was set by the long tenure of the Duke of Edinburgh as Chancellor from December 1976 to June 2011. However, the Statutes and Ordinances support a broader role of engagement. So, it is worth asking: What can the Chancellor of Cambridge University Actually Do? The answer to this question is the same as the answer to: What can the Vice Chancellor of Cambridge University Actually Do? Nothing. Both the Chancellor or the Vice Chancellor have limited […]
- [Chancellorship  Statement from Wyn Evans](https://21percent.org/?p=2374): I am writing to ask for your support in the election of the next Chancellor of our University of Cambridge. Our University needs a Chancellor who will defend its founding purpose: to serve the public good through education, learning and research of the highest quality, not by bending to the demands of branding, managerialism and market logic. I am the only candidate who is a currently a University Teaching Officer. As a teacher, researcher and mentor who has worked with generations of scholars, I appreciate both the extraordinary talent we nurture and the structural problems we must confront: the tension […]
- [The Times Interview](https://21percent.org/?p=2366): The Times interviewed Wyn Evans, who spoke of the difficulties faced by young scholars in the article. Sometimes young scholars can find access to research grants hindered. There are a number of ongoing Employment Tribunals in which young scholars are arguing that the blocking or rewriting of research grants by Heads of Department is part of a wider picture of victimisation against them. If you apply for a grant, you will need the permission of your Head of Department. There are of course some good reasons for this. The Head of Department needs to ensure that space and facilities are […]
- [The Chancellorship Candidates Respond ...](https://21percent.org/?p=2350): The 21 Group contacted the other Chancellorship candidates asking them to respond to Prof Wyn Evans‘ suggestion of the creation of an independent Ombudsman to investigate serious malpractices, bullying or academic misconduct at Cambridge University. The Ombudsman would also be responsible for investigating Whistleblowing allegations (instead of the Registrary and Academic Secretary, as present) and violations of freedom of speech. All the candidates responded positively, except Mohamed El-Erian, Sandi Toksvig and Ali Azeem. We thank Prof Tony Booth, Lord John Browne of Madingley, Dr Mark Mann, Gina Miller and Lord Chris Smith of Finsbury for their answers. We reproduce them […]
- [AFFS caught sight of their bank balances ...](https://21percent.org/?p=2341): The pressure group Alumni For Freedom of Speech (AFFS) circulated a set of questions to the candidates for the Cambridge Chancellorship. Broadly we are supportive of the aims of AFFS. Based on their replies and any other relevant publicly available information, AFFS scored candidates according to the following, admittedly fairly simple, “Free Speech Ratings”: FS+2, FS+1, FS 0, FS-1, FS-2. FS+2 is the highest, FS-2 is the lowest. The ranking is above, with Prof Wyn Evans and Dr Ayham Ammora topping the table. Dr Mark Mann is in third place. The response of the candidates to the questions posed by […]
- [ABB -- Anyone but Browne](https://21percent.org/?p=2331): As reported first in the Times Higher Education , a letter is circulating in Cambridge University suggesting that academics use their single transferable vote judiciously to prevent the election of Lord Browne of Madingley as the new Chancellor. There is now also press coverage of this campaign in The Times and in Varsity. The text of the open letter is here. As reported in The Times, one of the principal organisers is Jason Scott-Warren, Professor of Early Modern Literature and Culture. The letter argues that Lord Browne is a controversial figure for two key reasons. First, he chaired the 2010 […]
- [Cambridge Chancellorship Shake-Up](https://21percent.org/?p=2317): On 30 June 2025, the Times Higher Education published an opinion piece from Professor Wyn Evans entitled “Ending bullying and precarity should be the Cambridge chancellor’s focus“. “In over 800 years, only once has a non-university candidate ever won the chancellorship of Cambridge. In 1847, the German-born Prince Consort, Albert of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, narrowly defeated the Cambridge-educated Tory aristocrat, the Earl of Powis, by 945 votes to 837. The victory sparked plenty of 19th-century Twitter-style drama about whether a “foreigner” should be leading a bastion of English tradition. But Prince Albert was a force for good. He used his influence to […]
- [Annihilation of a Vice Chancellor](https://21percent.org/?p=2298): Scottish politicians brutally exposed what has been happening at Dundee University. You can see the carnage here, as former Vice Chancellor Iain Gillespie appeared before the Select Committee at Holyrood. It’s like watching a tubby, slow-moving sloth trapped in a cage with a pack of wolverines. Under Gillespie’s leadership, Dundee plunged into a £35 million deficit, shedding approximately 300 jobs, facing possible campus closures — while he repeatedly assured everyone it was all sunshine and surpluses. Committee convener Douglas Ross, quoting the Pamela Gillies report, blasted Gillespie for “hubris, overbearing behaviour, dangerous over-confidence and arrogance”. Ross then flatly called him a “coward”— […]
- [The University Subsidy Scandal](https://21percent.org/?p=2278): This is a wonderful book from Prof Robert Foley, Emeritus Professor of Human Evolution at the University of Cambridge. The author punctures the managerialism that has overwhelmed UK universities with gentle wit. It’s cut from the same mine as many of the 21 Group blog postings, but it’s been polished to a gentler sheen — less gritty, raw ore, more finished gem-stone. The chapter on “The Great University Subsidy Scandal” discusses how universities are subsidised by their own staff . We start with a very small, but telling, thing: “In University administration, there are quite a number of university mobile […]
- [Freedom of Speech](https://21percent.org/?p=2256): The candidates for the Chancellorship of Cambridge University were sent a series of questions on academic freedom and freedom of speech by Alumni for Freedom of Speech. A summary of some of my answers is below. Are there problems with Freedom Speech in UK Universities? In the UK today, it is often the political right that are most articulate about the importance of freedom of speech. However, there is a long-standing tradition of defence of freedom of speech on the left, including John Stuart Mill, Noam Chomsky, George Orwell, Rosa Luxemburg and John Mortimer. Censorship rarely stays confined to one’s […]
- [A University Ombudsman ?](https://21percent.org/?p=2253): We publish a request sent to fellow candidates on the creation of a University Ombudsman by Prof Wyn Evans. Any responses received before 5th July will be published without emendation. I’m honoured to stand alongside such a distinguished group of candidates for the Chancellorship of the University of Cambridge, and I look forward to an open, thoughtful debate about the future of our institution. As part of that conversation, I invite you to comment on a proposal I believe is urgently needed: the establishment of an independent University Ombudsman with the authority to investigate serious misconduct and abuse. For many, […]
- [Chancellorship of Cambridge University: Six Pledges](https://21percent.org/?p=2245): Cambridge University raised £150 million  in 2022-2023 from gifts and donations. Such money must be used to support our core mission of teaching and research, as described in the pledges below. Many parts (~80 %) of the University work well, but some parts (~20%) do not. The latter are the cause of a serious drainage of money (comparable to the yearly deficit of £50 million ). This needs addressing immediately. The Chancellor has the power to drive reform. Cessation of misspending is not enough. The University is an asset rich organisation. It needs to leverage and raise capital to invest […]
- [Radio GaGa: Cambridge is Killing off Dr Chris ...](https://21percent.org/?p=2241): This is a guest post from Dr Chris Smith of the Naked Scientists. Many of us doing scientific research at Cambridge University have appeared on his podcasts and radio shows. Now he needs our help … The first time I set foot in Cambridge, I was 8 years old. I’d come with my family to buy a new computer – a BBC Micro – that everyone was raving about. I have a vivid memory of us all sitting in the car beside Parkers Piece as someone from the University strode past in a gown and mortar board. As we watched […]
- [Freedom of Speech ?](https://21percent.org/?p=2234): The Telegraph reports on the grim events at the Institute of Astronomy, Cambridge here “In his independent report into Prof Evans’ whistleblowing claims, the external barrister appointed by Cambridge University said he regretted the length of time that the investigation took and “the effect this will undoubtedly have had on all those involved”. The barrister also raised concerns that several staff members pulled out of providing testimony “over fears they would face retaliation.” So, this is a department at the University of Cambridge in which members of staff were too frightened to provide testimony to a barrister “over fears they […]
- [The CTRL+ALT+DEL+UNIVERSITY Survey](https://21percent.org/?p=2124): News broke yesterday that Cardiff University has been reported to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) by the University and College Union (UCU), as reported here. HSE is the national regulator for workplace health, safety and welfare. It operates as an independent public body, sponsored by the Department for Work and Pensions. Cardiff University academics ‘have considered suicide and abortion because of the cruel cuts programme’ according to Nation Cymru. Cardiff University has an exceptionally poor record in health and safety. There is already evidence of a pre-existing problem with regulation of organisational workloads when Cardiff University was in a […]
- [The Oil and Gas Man](https://21percent.org/?p=2152): Lord Browne is an inappropriate choice for the Chancellorship of Cambridge University for four reasons: The possible election of Lord Browne to the Chancellorship raises concerns about risk of damage to the reputation of the University of Cambridge. (This article was written by Professor Wyn Evans, who is also a candidate for the Chancellorship)
- [The Emperor Has No Answers: Vice Chancellor Peter Mathieson's Pay Farce](https://21percent.org/?p=2107): The question every Vice Chancellor dreads is: How much do you get paid? A textbook case in what not to do is given by Sir Peter Mathieson, the Principal and Vice Chancellor of Edinburgh University. He was devoured alive by the Holyrood Education Committee convenor, Douglas Ross MSP, as reported gleefully in the press here and here. Now, the 21 Group believes that sometimes a high salary can be warranted, if an individual is unusually talented. The problem with high pay for Vice Chancellors is that most of the individuals seem to be superlative only in their mediocrity. Sir Peter […]
- [Lord Browne -- The Man with Too Many Hats](https://21percent.org/?p=2081): Nothing sums up how the UK Establishment works better than this glittering gemstone from ‘Yes, Minster’. Sir Arnold is stepping down as Cabinet Secretary and Head of the Civil Service. He will not be idle in his retirement. The long list of Sir Arnold’s new jobs include “Chairman of the Banque Occidentale, Director of IBM, BP, and that sort of thing, Chairman of the Opera House Trust, Chancellor of Oxford, Deputy Chairman of Bank of England, Head of the Security Commission, President of the Anglo-Caribbean Association and Secretary General of the Commonwealth.” After his resignation as Chief Executive of BP […]
- [Vice Chancellor Suspended](https://21percent.org/?p=2083): Professor Wendy Thomson, Vice Chancellor of the University of London, has been suspended. This followed a unanimous decision by the University’s Board of Trustees on 21 May 2025. This action was taken in response to allegations of bullying and poor leadership, as reported by the Evening Standard here.  A group of University staff submitted a letter to the Board of Trustees accusing her of fostering a “culture of bullying and fear“. The allegations include claims of aggressive and belittling behaviour, as well as lack of strategic direction under her leadership. An independent investigation will now be conducted. Professor Thomson has not publicly […]
- [Confetti and the Chancellorship](https://21percent.org/?p=2068): The candidates for the Chancellorship of Cambridge University have now been announced. They are Dr Ayham Ammora, Mr Ali Azeem, Mr Tony Booth, Lord (John) Browne, Dr Mohamed El-Erian, Dr Mark Mann, Mrs Gina Miller, Lord (Chris) Smith and Ms Sandi Toksvig as well as myself (Professor Wyn Evans). They are listed here with their personal statements. If we can put together an alliance of everyone who is left out of decision-making in our universities, we can bring about real change. In Cambridge, those who are left out comprise > 99 % of the university. They include early career researchers […]
- [Bullying by the HR Elite](https://21percent.org/?p=2044): UKRI (UK Research and Innovation) is the United Kingdom’s main public funding body for research and innovation. It was established in April 2018 and is sponsored by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology. All is not well. An internal staff survey conducted in 2024 revealed that 7% of UKRI employees reported experiencing bullying or harassment. UKRI’s outgoing chief executive, Ottoline Leyser, acknowledged this as “unacceptable“. Now comes news of where the problems lie. “Complaints made over the conduct of several HR staff at UK Research and Innovation have been upheld following a long investigation into bullying at the national funding agency. According to multiple […]
- ["Careers are Fragile Things"](https://21percent.org/?p=2016): Appointment committees are a common arena in which bullying can occur in academic life. In hiring, scholarly excellence competes with baser emotions like: “He’s my collaborator,” or “She laughed at my conference talk in 2019.” or “He has never cited my influential papers”. In many universities, the Head of Department plays a key role in hiring. Often the Head controls membership of the appointments committee. In any case, they wield a lot of power over the members of the committee, which can be used to threaten or cajole. I’m a young lecturer in a department at a university in the […]
- [Jacob Meagher versus the University of Cambridge](https://21percent.org/?p=1998): A high profile case is unfolding which may cause reputational damage to one of the world’s great universities. The case has already excited substantial media interest in Varsity, the Daily Telegraph, the Times and WONKHE. It’s the subject of a YouTube video. The case of Jacob Meagher v. University of Cambridge centres on possible disability discrimination and procedural failings during Meagher’s PhD exam, which may have led to significant personal and professional harm. Jacob Meagher is a qualified barrister at 1EC Chambers. He is also a PhD candidate in Law at Sidney Sussex College. He did not pass his PhD viva examination in […]
- [Cambridge University Chancellorship Update](https://21percent.org/?p=1974): Thanks to everyone who nominated me for the Chancellorship of Cambridge University The application was delivered in time with over 100 nominations (more than double the required amount). This should at least persuade those who run Cambridge University that there are some substantial problems in its culture & management that need addressing urgently. Attached to the nomination is a 500 word statement, reproduced below. It has benefitted from interactions with many individuals who have posted comments to this blog over the last 18 months, to whom I offer thanks. Wyn Evans The mission of Cambridge University is “to contribute to […]
- [Slaughterhouse Blue](https://21percent.org/?p=1977): A common problem for our Heads of Houses in Oxbridge is the little mistakes that unaccountably slip into their curriculum vitae or press releases. How it happens, no-one really knows — simple clerical errors by their PAs, enthusiastic auto-correction by the computer, or maybe their cat trampled over the keyboard at a critical moment. The problems of Kerris Bowles-Ottery have been generously overlooked by the Fellowship of St Judas College after his explanation that a vindictive ex-lover had doctored his cv. Now we hear of a spot of bother for Wendell Lacksworth, the Master of Slaughterhouse. Wendell Lacksworth graduated with […]
- [Train Wreck at Edinburgh University](https://21percent.org/?p=1956): ​There’s been a spectacular smash-up by the Human Resources department at the University of Edinburgh. The recent case involving Professor Roya Sheikholeslami and the University concluded with an emphatic ruling in her favour and a huge award.  After a protracted legal battle spanning over a decade, an employment tribunal awarded Prof Sheikholeslami more than £1 million, determining that she was unfairly dismissed by the university in 2012.​ She joined the University of Edinburgh in May 2007 as a professor of chemical process engineering. She was provided with a substantial start-up package, including funds for laboratory refurbishment. However, delays in the refurbishment […]
- [A Jolly Bad Fellow -- A Cambridge Fable](https://21percent.org/?p=1890): The Fellows of St Judas College are electing a new Master. The choice has almost been made. It is Kerris Bowles-Ottery, a distinguished scientist. His smooth ways charmed the Fellows, especially the ones who look like elderly crocodiles. He’s an FRS. He has Friends of the Right Sort. The Bowles-Ottery laboratory is well funded by generous grants and donations. The Fellows believe that he can raise money for the College. “Repayments to the bank for the new accommodation building are heavy“, sighed the Bursar. Still, there is a big difference between getting money from companies for applied science and raising […]
- [Wellcome, CRUK and Bullying](https://21percent.org/?p=1915): The 21 Group has been receiving complaints about bullying from staff in UK Universities for over a year. One subject stands out as the worst for bullying and harassment. It is cancer research. We are aware of ongoing and serious issues at the Universities of Cambridge, Oxford and London, involving multiple individuals and court cases. The Cambridge Culture Survey results for CRUK-Cam and the Department of Oncology are above. These are percentages of all those who gave an opinion (don’t knows excluded). Both departments have large proportions disagreeing or strongly disagreeing with statements like “I’m satisfied at how bullying and […]
- [Misogynistic Bullying in the Research Centre](https://21percent.org/?p=1868): The 21 Group has received the following report of misogynistic bullying in a UK University. The bully is the Director of the Research Centre, the victim is a woman on a fixed-term contract. How many times do we see this in our universities? To be a woman on a fixed-term contract is frankly unsafe in many UK universities. Many facets of misogyny are apparent in the testimony. The bully has a history of “bullying women in junior positions to himself, including administrative staff”. Many of the women are “fearful of the consequences and career implications” and don’t pursue disciplinary action. […]
- [How to Miss the Point on Bullying](https://21percent.org/?p=1855): Cambridge University has now supplied more response to the article on bullying in The Observer. The percentages in the article were based on those who expressed an opinion. So, the University is conceding that the numbers in the article are the correct percentages with ‘don’t knows‘ excluded. If you have no experience of how the university deals with bullying, you most likely will respond ‘don’t know‘ to the statement “I am satisfied with how bullying and harassment are addressed in my department”. ‘Don’t knows‘ are missing data. Missing data generally adds zero value to your analysis and can skew potential […]
- [Participation in University Culture Survey](https://21percent.org/?p=1845): This is the response of Cambridge University to the article in The Observer. Of course, any survey has sampling error and biases. The results always need careful interpretation. However, many of the responses in the University Culture Survey give grave cause for concern at the effectiveness of the University’s anti-bullying policies. Participation in the University Culture Survey was patchy. One reason is that the University claimed that the survey was anonymous. However, each individual got an individually identifiable link. This means that it is in principle possible to match each response with the email address to which it was sent. The […]
- [Huge scale of bullying at Cambridge revealed by The Guardian](https://21percent.org/?p=1840): The Guardian has just published an article on the endemic bullying and harassment in some Cambridge University departments. It is here. Toxicology, Pathology, Cancer Research UK, Oncology, History, Physics, Earth Sciences and Astronomy are named as amongst the worst performers. (We still do not have data at departmental level for some known problematic departments like Engineering or POLIS or architecture). None of this will be a surprise to the staff who work at these places. Interesting is the quoted response of the university in the Guardian article. The spokesperson for Cambridge added: “The university strives to provide an inclusive and […]
- [Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail: Cambridge Chancellor Edition](https://21percent.org/?p=1787): The position of Chancellor of Cambridge University is vacant following the resignation of Lord Sainsbury of Turville. An election will shortly take place. The role is unpaid and has been seen in recent years as largely ceremonial. However, by Statute A4, the Chancellor has powers ‘to see that all officers of the University duly perform their duties‘. The Chancellor is also a member of Council, which is the principal executive and policy-making body of the University. The Chancellor is elected by members of the Cambridge Senate. The Senate is, roughly speaking, all holders of degrees from Cambridge University, as well as current […]
- [Cover Up at Anglia Ruskin University](https://21percent.org/?p=1768): University senior management are really good at some things — like evading responsibility for monumental cock-ups (see Dundee University here) or awarding each other big pay rises (see Stirling University here). And cover-ups. The home of the cover-up is Oxbridge. We’ll be dealing with massive cover-ups at Oxford and Cambridge Universities shortly. But here, we’ll take a look at another strong performance in our ancient university towns, this time by Anglia Ruskin University (ARU). Mark Garratt is a member of Anglia Ruskin University’s Executive Board and is Director of Marketing, Communications and Recruitment. In 2024, Mark Garratt used his personal […]

## Pages

- [Rivalry and Renewal at Cambridge University](https://21percent.org/?page_id=3055): The Registrary of the University of Cambridge, Ms Emma Rampton, has announced that she will step down from her role on 31 December 2025 here. Her decision comes at the end of a year marked by considerable institutional turbulence. This has included a disorderly Chancellorship election, a protracted and ongoing disciplinary investigation involving another very senior figure, the announcement — and subsequent withdrawal — of the appointment of a new Chief Financial Officer and repeated press allegations of bullying and harassment tolerated at the highest levels of the University. The period was further destabilised by the unprecedented leaking of remarks […]
- [Press Interviews](https://21percent.org/?page_id=2324): Interviews and press comment on my Chancellorship Campaign are here: Ending bullying and precarity should be the Cambridge chancellor’s focus, Times Higher Education, June 30 2025 Cambridge University accused of bullying ‘cover-up’ as internal survey revealed, The Guardian/Observer, 12 April 2025 Silence on bullying at universities ‘like Post Office scandal’, says Cambridge chancellor hopeful, The Telegraph, 15 June 2025 (text available on request) Earlier writing for the Times Higher Education is available at my author webpage The Critic’s discussion of the candidates is here. “Wyn Evans, a Cambridge astrophysicist, is to be commended for his passionate desire to roll back […]
- [The Story of the Snake -- A Fantasy](https://21percent.org/?page_id=2294): Once upon a time, in a Department nestled within one of the Great Seats 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 adversity he had overcome. The Head of Department saw the High Widening Participation Score and was pleased. The Researcher was encouraged to support the Student, who had expressed a desire to work on the Researcher’s project. After a fruitful meeting, the Researcher and the Student refined the project. The Student […]
- [Statement in Support of Chancellorship](https://21percent.org/?page_id=2204): The mission of the University of Cambridge is “to contribute to society through the pursuit of education, learning and research at the highest international levels of excellence.” Its core values are “freedom of thought and expression and freedom from discrimination“. Inspired by this, I am standing on a twofold platform. 1. A thorough review of current job creation and retention trends against the background of the University’s mission statement.  2. A thorough review of transparency, accountability, accessibility and performance within the management of the University as judged against the background of the University’s core values and mission statement. A comparison with Microsoft […]
- [Six Pledges](https://21percent.org/?page_id=2192): Cambridge University raised £150 million  in 2022-2023 from gifts and donations. Such money must be used to support our core mission of teaching and research, as described in the pledges below. Many parts (~80 %) of the University work well, but some parts (~20%) do not. The latter are the cause of a serious drainage of money (comparable to the yearly deficit of £50 million ). This needs addressing immediately. The Chancellor has the power to drive reform. Cessation of misspending is not enough. The University is an asset rich organisation. It needs to leverage and raise capital to invest […]
- [Privacy Notice For Ctrl+Alt+Delete+University Survey ](https://21percent.org/?page_id=2140): Contact details Email: datacontroller@21percent.org What information we collect and use, and why We collect or use the following personal information for the purposes of preparing of a submission to the Health and Safety Executive, or other regulator: (i) contact details (eg name, address, telephone number or personal email address) and (ii) information provided by you in your response to our online surveys, Lawful bases and data protection rights Under UK data protection law, we must have a “lawful basis” for collecting and using your personal information. There is a list of possible lawful bases in the UK GDPR. You can […]
- [The CTRL+ALT+DEL+UNIVERSITY Survey](https://21percent.org/?page_id=2128): News broke yesterday that Cardiff University has been reported to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) by the University and College Union (UCU), as reported here. HSE is the national regulator for workplace health, safety and welfare. It operates as an independent public body, sponsored by the Department for Work and Pensions. Cardiff University academics ‘have considered suicide and abortion because of cruel cuts programme’ according to Nation Cymru. Cardiff University has an exceptionally poor record in health and safety. There is already evidence of a pre-existing problem with regulation of organisational workloads when Cardiff University was in a more […]
- [Employment Tribunals for Beginners](https://21percent.org/?page_id=1151): This article is not intended to constitute and should not be used as a substitute for legal advice. No liability for the accuracy of the content of this document, or the consequences of relying on it, is assumed by the author, Dr Emily Baker, or the 21 Group. Dr Emily Baker is a Bar student and Lincoln’s Inn most senior scholar, though is not a qualified lawyer. Emily has experience acting pro bono in a higher education context and presently works in the field of employment law, but previously worked in criminal defence throughout her law degree. Emily was educated at […]
- [Victims](https://21percent.org/?page_id=633): The voices of the victims are rarely heard. The 21 Group is publishing testimony from victims of bullying in UK universities. All names are anonymized. The intention is not the settling of scores. We want to show how bullying occurs in universities and to reveal the long-lasting and pervasive harm done to the victims. If you wish to submit a contribution for possible publication on this page, please describe how you were bullied, or how it has affected your prospects and health. Then email it to testimony@21percent.org We will treat your disclosure with complete confidence. We will be in touch to arrange […]
- [Bullying](https://21percent.org/?page_id=388): This page tries to define what bullying really is, and what forms it can take. The aim is to make bullying easier to detect, more difficult to obscure and also more difficult to allege without evidence. This then helps define the appropriate remedy for behaviour which is perceived as inappropriate, unpleasant, unwanted and potentially harmful. Adding to the potential for confusion, we must also remember that accusations of bullying — if unevidenced, unsubstantiated and untrue — may themselves constitute a form of bullying. Bullying is a form of aggression with intent to harm, hurt or disable another person. The essential […]
- [Campaign for Chancellorship of Cambridge University](https://21percent.org/?page_id=373): The position of Chancellor of Cambridge University is vacant following the resignation of Lord Sainsbury of Turville. An election will shortly take place. The role is unpaid and has been seen in recent years as largely ceremonial. However, by Statute A4, the Chancellor has powers ‘to see that all officers of the University duly perform their duties‘. The Chancellor is also a member of Council, which is the principal executive and policy-making body of the University. The Chancellor is elected by members of the Cambridge Senate. The Senate is, roughly speaking, all holders of degrees from Cambridge University, as well as current […]
- [Mental Health](https://21percent.org/?page_id=256): Bullying almost always has an impact on the victim’s mental health. Bullying is a form of aggression, a deliberate attempt to harm, undermine or disable another person. But often this is not blatantly inappropriate behaviour, such as being shouted at in a meeting, or verbally abused in front of others. Most managers in higher education are discerning enough to understand what constitutes unacceptable behaviour. And a bully is typically not unaware of what they do. Bullying is often subtle, covert, insidious behaviour, difficult to identify as such, and to evidence robustly. It can involve misleading or gas-lighting, renaming, rephrasing and […]
- [Mental Health](https://21percent.org/?page_id=260): Bullying almost always has an impact on the victim’s mental health. Bullying is a form of aggression, a deliberate attempt to harm, undermine or disable another person. But often this is not blatantly inappropriate behaviour, such as being shouted at in a meeting, or verbally abused in front of others. Most senior staff in higher education are discerning enough to understand what constitutes unacceptable behaviour. And a bully is typically not unaware of what they do. Bullying is often subtle, covert, insidious behaviour, difficult to identify as such, and to evidence robustly. It can involve misleading or gas-lighting, renaming, rephrasing […]
- [](https://21percent.org/): The 21 Group was founded at the University of Cambridge in 2023 in order to provide a network and support group for staff experiencing bullying, harassment and discrimination in their academic careers. Our name derives from the fact that in a staff survey, 21% of employees at the University of Cambridge reported that they had been subjected to bullying or harassment in the workplace. Yet despite having more than 1 in 5 staff being affected by misconduct, there was no network for staff to share their experiences and coordinate against employer misbehaviour. At the same time, more than half of those who […]
- [Contact Us](https://21percent.org/?page_id=40): To ensure confidentiality, we recommend using a non-university email address for all communications. Advice If you wish to request advice on a bullying issue at a UK university, please use contact@21percent.org We will try to respond within 48 hours. All enquiries will be treated as strictly confidential. Help Us We are delighted to receive offers of time and assistance from any university employees who are concerned about bullying and willing to assist the project. Please use help@21percent.org. Media Please direct all media inquiries and interview requests to media@21percent.org. Data If you wish to contribute statistical data on the frequency of […]
- [Resources](https://21percent.org/?page_id=39): The Arbitration and Conciliation Service (ACAS) publishes Codes of Conduct for UK employers. This is the bare minimum that any employer should follow. If a university fails to follow this legal minimum, then employment tribunals will take this into account when considering relevant cases. Note that internal University codes of practice like ‘Dignity at Work’ are not statutory. Universities suffer no repercussions if they break their own internal procedures. ACAS provides advice on bullying and harassment. If the matter remains unresolved and you decide to raise an informal or formal Grievance, then Universities should follow the best practice on disciplinary […]
- [Support](https://21percent.org/?page_id=38): Undergraduate students who are experiencing bullying and are dissatisfied with their university’s response can appeal directly to the Office of the Independent Adjudicator for Higher Education (OIA). The OIA can challenge any decision of a university’s disciplinary body (for example, if the university has not taken an allegation seriously). The 21 Group accepts queries from staff and postgraduate students at UK universities who are trying to figure out what to do in relation to bullying or harassment. We will help with advice, if we can, though we do not have the resources for detailed casework. We may be able to […]
- [News Articles](https://21percent.org/?page_id=37): University of Cambridge admits significant sexual misconduct problem Sally Weale, The Guardian (5 February 2018) I reported harassment and was silenced — and I’m a senior academic Prof Athene Donald, The Guardian (8 October 2018) Are Universities finally moving towards their #Me Too Moment? Prof Athene Donald, The Guardian (27 July 2018) Hundreds of academics at top UK universities accused of bullying Hannah Devlin & Sarah Marsh,The Guardian (28 September 2018) Third of Cambridge University staff “have experienced bullying”: Survey supports unions claims of culture of bullying and harassment in institution Richard Adams, The Guardian (7 January 2020) Students and […]
- [Blog](https://21percent.org/?page_id=35): New Blog Entry
- [About Us](https://21percent.org/?page_id=34): We are a group of academics and professional services support staff at UK universities. Bullying in academic life is not always obvious. It often takes more subtle forms, such as deliberate career obstruction, belittlement, exclusion from necessary resources and opportunities, or unfair workload allocation. Often, victims of bullying are not aware at first, and only gradually notice a pattern of mistreatment, malicious intent, and failure to address concerns. Bullying may also be blatant, public and prolonged. Despite the seeming encouragement of active by-standing by universities, few academics do intervene (this is prudent, as universities offer no support for whistleblowers). So, […]


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