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Original poster

Moody vs York

100 replies

DrLouiseMoody · 30/09/2019 21:20

Evening Right-Wing Funded Evangelical Bigots!

May I present the case of Moody vs. York.

twitter.com/drlouisejmoody/status/1178739616666533893

In brief, Stephanie Hayden and Adrian Harrop complained to York Philosophy dept about me back in August. The HoD claimed I was bound by social media policy. I wasn't. He knew this and IT WAS DOCUMENTED IN A MEETING IN JANUARY, but he still sent me SEVEN e-mails insisting I was. I was forced to seek representation. When I did that, the HoD removed Research Associate status from EVERYONE without giving a reason.

So:

(A) The HoD lied about me being bound by social media policy but decided to pressure me into sending near instant responses about the matter before I could meet my lawyer (I was on holiday).

(B) When it was pointed out by my lawyer that he had no case, everyone mysteriously lost their RA status.

I'm finally allowed to go public, and I wanted to anyway to get this out there before having to deal with the even bigger case.

Happy to answer any questions about what's happened!

OP posts:
Ereshkigal · 01/10/2019 22:53

I guess so that they can claim that they haven't discriminated against Louise as that position doesn't now exist.

LordProfFekkoThePenguinPhD · 01/10/2019 22:54

And they got rid of the posting now because...? Are they 3 years old? Really a primary school child could come up with a better idea.

LangCleg · 01/10/2019 22:55

Charming views about feminists expressed on social media by HoD, I see.

FilthyBiscuit · 01/10/2019 22:59

Surely when it became apparent that you were taking legal advice the HoD should also have done so? Where I work any sniff of litigation goes straight to our lawyers. The HoS/Dean should have stepped in at the least. Given the HoD's comment about feminists this sounds like a very personal campaign. Good on you Louise for not lying down! And, I hope this doesn't have any impact on your new role.

FilthyBiscuit · 01/10/2019 23:00

Also, surely the UoY offers HRA posts across the board. There must have been some meeting where the decision was made to remove them in only the Philosophy department. Any minutes to back up their rationale?

LordProfFekkoThePenguinPhD · 01/10/2019 23:00

Won’t HR be interested in their comments on social media. Naughty naughty naughty.

Original poster
DrLouiseMoody · 01/10/2019 23:24

Evening All!

So much going on, and I'm mentally and physically exhausted with everything going on. To be brief:

  • The HoD sent me no less than SEVEN imperious sounding e-mails stating that I was bound by York's social media policy.
  • I felt a bit pressured, especially after he quoted the disciplinary procedure at me, and so decided to seek representation.
  • I then became aware, BECAUSE MEETING MINUTES WERE ON THE SHARED DEPT. DRIVE, that the HoD knew that RA's were not bound by social media policy back in Jan.
  • So, understandably, I became rather annoyed at his outright lying and trying to attach me to a policy that he knew never applied to me.
  • After my lawyer (a real one, not a self-identified one) sent him a letter, he removed EVERYONE'S RA status with no reason.
  • HoD now says he considers the matter "closed."

Yup, he did indeed post about "angry young feminists" being "bellends" on his FB the very day the original complaint was received (see attached). It was that which made me wary that any "investigation" was not going to be impartial.

I know of three people that have had their RA status removed (there may be more, I don't know), and one in particular is bothered as it's an important title if you want to start an academic career - it at least gives you a title, and if you get publications, then you are in a good position.

A formal complaint to York is imminent (corresponding with lawyer); but realistically, I now have to focus on the bigger case (being sued!).

Moody vs York
OP posts:
Original poster
DrLouiseMoody · 01/10/2019 23:30

I don't want to be that nob who says, READ THE TWITTER THREAD, but I'm beyond exhausted, so, er, read the Twitter thread!

My replies to the HoD were professional at all times, and indeed, I tried to deescalate the situation. I was even prepared to make an apology and reassure the HoD that I would make no further comments about McKinnon on social media (despite knowing I was not bound by any policy). Unfortunately, the HoD decided to push, and push, and push, so here we are. I suppose he assumed that I would be so intimidated that I'd just go away.

BIG MISTAKE. HUGE MISTAKE.

I may not be the big-shot professor, but I know what is right, and I really am not afraid of making a stand.

OP posts:
Original poster
DrLouiseMoody · 01/10/2019 23:37

Hey Biscuit!

Zero impact on new-ish role. Situation is this: up until May 2018, I was a postdoc on a project with my PhD supervisor. I then developed Meniere's syndrome which is a side-effect of my deafness. One day I woke up to sounds worse than McKinnon philosophizing in my head (believe me) and began experiencing weird episodes of vertigo and 'drop attacks' (like falling over all of a sudden). It was awful. But ... I slowly recovered, and took a p/t job in Dec completely unrelated to academia (mainly for my own sanity as being in the house all the time was driving me mad).

I've still half a foot, well maybe a toe, in academia. I've a co-authored piece coming soon, a single authored piece after that; but my priority really isn't securing an academic job since I've got the best of both worlds right now - time to pursue my interests without the pressures of academia.

Certain parties are going to see this as a 'win' which is bizarre. But that's fine. There's an awful lot going on off-line which I wish I was in a position to speak about, but will be eventually!

Moody vs York
Moody vs York
OP posts:
DrLouiseMoody · 01/10/2019 23:40

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

GCAcademic · 01/10/2019 23:50

Charming views about feminists expressed on social media by HoD, I see.

Indeed. Does the university’s social media policy not apply to him, then?

FilthyBiscuit · 01/10/2019 23:56

Does the university’s social media policy not apply to him, then?
Exceptionally good point GC!

Original poster
DrLouiseMoody · 02/10/2019 13:14

So far, Hayden has:

  • Reported my Crowdfunder and the comments.
  • Reported me to York.
  • Reported my Twitter (no violations found).
  • Reported my comments in this thread (I know this due to the absolutely hilarious and insane correspondence I've received today).

Meanwhile, I haven't reported any of Hayden's numerous tweets about me (and there's a LOT) or sought to prevent them securing representation (well, they defend themselves so this is pointless).

It's absolutely bizarre that Hayden feels they have any say in how I handle this case since they are really irrelevant here. The issue is one of the HoD's behaviour rather than what precipitated events. For that reason, I'll continue to keep you all updated with developments and speak about it as I see fit.

OP posts:
TheCountessofFitzdotterel · 02/10/2019 13:19

Hayden really needs a hobby.

TheAlternativeTentacle · 02/10/2019 13:23

Stalking and reporting women to the authorities IS his hobby.

LordProfFekkoThePenguinPhD · 02/10/2019 13:44

If this was Playground Rules I’d say someone has a little crush on Ms Moody...

RoyalCorgi · 02/10/2019 13:46

Good luck to you, Louise. Have huge admiration for what you're doing.

Carowiththegoodhair · 02/10/2019 14:09

Fancy a pork pie?

Carowiththegoodhair · 02/10/2019 14:12

Sorry meant Weetabix. Or muffins. Or any kind of tasty foodstuff. It’s lunchtime and I am starved.

tooyoungat40 · 02/10/2019 14:17

So has this had any oversight from the university itself or is it all been at departmental level?

Waterandlemonjuice · 02/10/2019 14:22

Good luck Louise

Original poster
DrLouiseMoody · 02/10/2019 14:45

Hummmm. Pork pies. Careful. Some of them are just unrecognizable food items these days, what with all the artificial ingredients making them look strange pink colours. I'll pass.

OP posts:
LangCleg · 02/10/2019 14:48

the absolutely hilarious and insane correspondence I've received today

Ha. You, too, have been plunged into some Eve and the Monitors correspondence with HQ, Louise?

Enjoy. It's like being cast in a Kafka production without anyone telling you.

PinkRobots · 02/10/2019 14:49

Wow. Hayden’s behavior is so very ladylike...