Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

Feminism: chat

Original poster

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

39 replies

AlphariusOmegron · 27/01/2024 11:13

I assure you hell has frozen over at the OU for this to happen. Staff will quit…
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/

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/

OP posts:
anyolddinosaur · 27/01/2024 13:11

Fine words butter no parsnips, although they are necessary to avoid larger aggravated damages at an employment tribunal.

I'll maybe start to believe they are sincere if they make generous settlements with Almut Gadow and Pilgrim Tucker.

MrsOvertonsWindow · 27/01/2024 13:11

One can only hope that the academics who openly lied in court (according to the Phoenix judgement) resign. And if they don't they face disciplinary charges for telling lies in court.

Boiledbeetle · 27/01/2024 12:40

I imagine there were tears and tantrums all around when that was published!

RhymesWithOrange · 27/01/2024 12:40

OU needs to settle its cases with Pilgrim Tucker and Almut Gadow if it wants to be sincere about this apology. We've seen the toll these tribunals take on women and it's absolutely inhumane to continue if they now actually realise that they are in the wrong.

WomenShouldStillWinWomensSports · 27/01/2024 12:34

Good outcome. I abandoned my degree with the OU last year because of this rubbish. I still wouldn't return to finish my studies, though. More needs to be done.

Gymnopedie · 27/01/2024 12:32

Interesting. Wasn't their knee jerk reaction immediately after the judgment to say that they were considering appealing it? I wonder what's changed their minds?

Igmum · 27/01/2024 12:30

Good. And so much better than what was said immediately after. Here's hoping that VCs and other bosses around the country are waking up and smelling the coffee.

Noshowlomo · 27/01/2024 12:27

about time

Datun · 27/01/2024 12:24

Blimey. That's fairly unequivocal.

Beamur · 27/01/2024 12:15

Well done VC.
That's the statement they should have put out after the verdict.
The tyranny of 'right think' is poisonous in higher education (and everywhere else too!)

Chamomileteaplease · 27/01/2024 12:11

A 180 degree turn around. I hope it is genuine. Maybe there is hope for us after all. Such a relief to have a bit more optimism in this terrifying war.

HagoftheNorth · 27/01/2024 12:05

There’s one with Pilgrim Tucker too…..

JoyousAsOtters · 27/01/2024 11:45

Don’t they have another case looming with Almut Gadow? Wonder if they may settle that now in light of the frankly damning Phoenix judgement? If I remember rightly hers is arguing specifically that academic freedom is curtailed by gender identity groupthink.

Poinsettiasarevile · 27/01/2024 11:24

About time the VC stepped up. If memory serves he gave evidence at the tribunal. He must have seen this coming, which is why i was so surprised at the mealy mouthed original statement. They would have to be institutionally insane to consider appealing. He has a fight on his hands to restore balance.