Cambridge University accused of bullying ‘cover-up’ as internal survey revealed | University of Cambridge
According to an internal survey I saw observer.
Cambridge conducted the employee culture survey in January 2024 and is now facing accusations from academics that she tried to cover up the “dark” results that were issued through freedom of information requests (FOI).
A university spokesman said this weekend that he was supporting the departments to take action as the issues were identified. They said: “We are taking concerns about bullying seriously and strength that encourages anyone who tests such behavior to report.”
Only 27 % of the employees agreed that they were happy with attempts to treat bullying and harassment-where some of the most prominent scientific departments were in particular-and only half of the employees (52 %) of their division of their mental health and well-being said.
The results of an academic at the university, astronomical physicist Professor Win Evans, prompted the separation of traditions and the search for nominations in the upcoming elections of the new Cambridge consultant in a statement of combating bullying, after he announced the counterpart of the Labor Party, David Ceninsbi, his resignation from last year.
Evans said: “This poll reveals a dark culture of bullying and harassment, yet the most shocking things is that the university found this a year ago and did not take any action,” Evans said.
He added: “If one of the academics with the value of the university because they carry a lot of research scholarships that bring a lot of money, then Cambridge will not touch it.” “If there is a complaint, it will be ignored.”
The consultant is a largely festive position that is expected to attract graduates of the big name, including senior politicians and peers. William The Hague, the former conservative leader and foreign secretary, was Oxford elected consultant Last November, and Prince Philip Lord Centbry preceded in Cambridge.
Evans said that the presence of an ambassador’s advisor abroad was working well in the past, but the university faces an “internal crisis” of bullying and many academics on unsafe decades in the short term. He now needed a consultant to pay for “comprehensive reforms”.
A survey conducted by the university and the three campus unions found in 2020 Almost a third of the employees have suffered from bullying Or harassment at work in the previous 18 months. Then, Deputy Counselor Stephen Top wrote a statement to accompany the survey results, and pledge to take and clarify: “To be a pioneering institution, we must accept this type of behavior that has no place in Cambridge.”
The university is far from facing the challenges of this type. In 2020, A survey was conducted by wellcom TRUSTOne of the largest charities of research in the United Kingdom, more than 4000 researchers in 20 universities, and found that nearly two -thirds of them witnessed bullying and harassment, and 43 % had experienced it.
More than three quarters of them felt that intense competition to win research and publishing grants in prominent magazines-with research departments also compete for well in league tables and responding to government initiatives-created “non-harsh and aggressive conditions”.
“The research should not come at the expense of destroying the well -being of people, and it is encouraging to see the institutions asking students and employees about the issues they face,” said Diego Babetsta, head of research and financing shares in Wilcum.
He added: “The research sector can learn and should learn from each other. By drawing a picture of people’s experiences, we are all in a better position to design a positive and comprehensive research culture.”
Wellcome has explicit rules to combat bullying, exploitation and harassment as a pre -conditioning condition for granting them, and in 2018 he canceled 3.5 million pounds in financing from Professor Nazine RahmanOne of the most prominent cancer scientists in Britain, who were then residing at the Cancer Research Institute in London, after 45 colleagues reached charges of bullying and harassment.
Al -Rahman, who resigned from the institute, denied the allegations and said at that time, “There were no disciplinary results against me.”
Cambridge refused to release the scanning results for some of its sections under FOI. However, among the detailed results you have seen observer, There are some departments with more results. In the Poison Science Unit in the Medical Research Council, 69 % of the employees who responded or did not agree with no agreed when they were asked whether they were happy to treat bullying and harassment.
In the Pathology Department, this number was 61 %; In the Cavundi Physics Laboratory was 58 %. At both the UK Cancer Research Institute (Cruk) in Cambridge and in the Oncology Department, it was 50 %. Other departments that have approximately half of the employees do not agree or do not agree with the fact that these issues have well included Earth sciences, history and astronomy.
“Research was all my life. I was really looking to come to the department, and to exchange ideas and inspiring research students. I left many months of months.
The researcher said: “I destroyed my personal life. I stopped sleeping. I received support from the former friends, colleagues and students – but from the university just nice stimuli to see the general doctor,” the researcher said.
Dr. KRZYSZTOF POTEMPA, founder of Biotech Startup Braincores, supported a co -bomber -bombing at the UK Research Institute and now universities’ campaigns to better address the issue. He said: “Unfortunately, complaints often lead against revenue professors to leave the victim, while the perpetrator continues to build their career.”
“The university seeks to provide a comprehensive and supportive work environment, as all employees feel appreciated,” Cambridge spokesman added.
He said that the university has presented a new code of behavior and has updated its policies in its work and grievance.
