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Update from Jo Phoenix

293 replies

Imnobody4 · 18/08/2023 17:45

Sorry can't find the previous thread. I thought someone might like to attend. 18 witnesses!! Bet that's just a tactic to intimidate.

https://twitter.com/JoPhoenix1/status/1692558010323702045?t=O8s-xIF3iu564FVwyaYEhg&s=19

NEWSFLASH

45 days to go.

I received news this week that the venue for my hearing has changed. It is now at Watford Tribunal Centre, 2nd floor, Radius House, 51 Clarendon Road, Watford. It will be in an open court (i.e. members of the public are allowed to attend). The dates remain the same.

The case starts on 2nd October with reading and preliminary issues. Evidence-giving starts on 3rd October. At present, I still do not know the exact number of witnesses the OU is calling. In the preliminary case hearing, the OU's representative claimed that they would like to call 18. We are scheduled to exchange witness statements at the end of next week (25th August) and it is then that I will know if all of those 18 witnesses are, indeed, being called to give evidence.

https://twitter.com/JoPhoenix1/status/1692558010323702045?s=19&t=O8s-xIF3iu564FVwyaYEhg

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24
Poreui · 04/02/2024 15:16

Yeah I can’t see this prompting any self reflection just increasing feelings of victimhood.

Individual public shaming like this doesn’t really address the cultural problem in academia either. Yes these academics behaved badly but they were also enabled and licensed by the wider culture.

SidewaysOtter · 04/02/2024 14:52

Much as I would like those who bullied Jo to see the error of their ways I suspect they will see themselves as martyrs to the cause, nobly taking one for Team Right Side of History and being victimised by the right wing via the Mail.

I’d agree with the PP though, “the Daily Mail test” is something we use (i.e. “How would we feel if this was on the front of the Mail with our name all over it?”) because being on the front of the Mail is one of the worst PR things we can imagine.

StillProcrastinating · 04/02/2024 14:29

Is there anywhere you can see the full list of names still ?

teawamutu · 04/02/2024 14:18

RethinkingLife · 04/02/2024 14:04

In so far as a test for Civil Service, NGOs etc. is the Daily Mail test, perhaps.

I.e., a test of how comfortable you are with your decision | spending | policy is how you'd feel if it ended up as a headline in the Daily Mail.

Show quote history

That's true - great point.

RethinkingLife · 04/02/2024 14:04

Holeinamole · 04/02/2024 13:09

Yes, these academics behaved terribly. But is calling them out in the Mail going to change things in universities?

In so far as a test for Civil Service, NGOs etc. is the Daily Mail test, perhaps.

I.e., a test of how comfortable you are with your decision | spending | policy is how you'd feel if it ended up as a headline in the Daily Mail.

CloudyAgain · 04/02/2024 13:34

I feel empathy for most who experience trial by media, but that said... these academics behaved appallingly. They were so sure of their moral rectitude that they figured that not only was it okay - it was also desirable- to go out of their way to orchestrate a social media pile on. They MUST have known this had the potential to put Jo in danger- not just her career and her reputation, but her very mental, emotional and PHYSICAL self.

Besides- they put their names to that open letter. This is the result.

(Or as my 80 year old father would say;' Fuck'em')

MrsOvertonsWindow · 04/02/2024 13:33

Holeinamole · 04/02/2024 13:09

Yes, these academics behaved terribly. But is calling them out in the Mail going to change things in universities?

It would be good if the Guardian or BBC journalists asked questions about why the once respected OU employs academics who mount bullying campaigns against others and then are identified by a Judge as being unreliable witnesses.

But they don't for some reason 😑

teawamutu · 04/02/2024 13:28

Holeinamole · 04/02/2024 13:09

Yes, these academics behaved terribly. But is calling them out in the Mail going to change things in universities?

You're absolutely right that they'll dismiss it because evil Mail, and also that shaming them for their views is arguably what they did to JP

OTOH they're foul bullies, court-evidenced harassers and I'm struggling to feel much beyond 'you fucked around, you found out '.

Holeinamole · 04/02/2024 13:09

Yes, these academics behaved terribly. But is calling them out in the Mail going to change things in universities?

Greengrassohla · 04/02/2024 01:08

Good

LaTricoteuseVieux · 03/02/2024 21:59

Good on the Mail, odious paper though it is! Glad to see their mug shots there for everyone to see as well. Leigh Downes seems a really nasty piece of work.

crumpet · 03/02/2024 21:40

I can’t imagine that they will enjoy the splash their names are making

MrsOvertonsWindow · 03/02/2024 21:36

Good for the Mail. I hope that university are taking action against them for their "lack of credibility" as witnesses in court.

lonelywater · 03/02/2024 21:24

good. these cunts can dish it out, but can they take it? see how you like them apples.

LarkLane · 03/02/2024 16:54

Her resignation letter was very upsetting. I just wanted to give her a big hug .

VitoCorleoneOfMNMafia · 02/02/2024 22:48

I've finally got around to reading the judgement and para 25 on page 15 has honestly made me cry.

The OU must surely have broken Prof Phoenix's heart.

duc748 · 28/01/2024 18:55

It is. The shit these women have had to put up with is ridiculous.

CloudyAgain · 28/01/2024 18:07

Great Statement Jo.

I remain in total awe of Jo, Maya, Roz, Rachel Meade, Allison et al.

Not only are you all on the true Right Side of History you are making history.

RethinkingLife · 28/01/2024 17:46

Classy and appropriately generous-in-spirit post from JP.

In a second statement issued four fret filled days later, Prof Tim Blackman (the Vice Chancellor) made it clear they would not be appealing, issued me an apology (less said soonest mended on such apologies) stated that he recognised that the University had fallen very short in several areas and that the OU is “not The Open University we want to be”.

I found this interesting. I'd wondered if the apology was a mealy-mouthed version that emerged from negotiations between respective lawyers but it seems not.

The Open University

A statement from Professor Tim Blackman, Vice-Chancellor of The Open University regarding the recent employment tribunal judgment - OU News

The judgment made for difficult reading for all of us. We apologise unreservedly to Professor Phoenix for the hurt and distress this has caused.

https://ounews.co/around-ou/ou-speaks-out/a-statement-from-professor-tim-blackman-vice-chancellor-of-the-open-university-regarding-the-recent-employment-tribunal-judgment/

duc748 · 28/01/2024 13:09

Must be a lovely working environment there! 😛

Not as bad as the OU, obviously...

RethinkingLife · 28/01/2024 13:03

duc748 · 28/01/2024 12:55

Somehow don't think Sonia S and Kath Viner would be besties.

Do you remember when the interim Head of Fawcett (Felicia Willow) was attempting to have Sonia S removed from trusteeships in various organisations?

Not a public peep from KV.

Tallisker · 28/01/2024 13:02

Frood your penultimate paragraph pretty much sums the situation up, bonkers though it seems. All hail the mighty trans!

duc748 · 28/01/2024 12:55

Somehow don't think Sonia S and Kath Viner would be besties.

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