Aberdeen University lecturer cleared over transphobia allegations after playing Harry Potter music in class

[IwantToRetire]

An Aberdeen University professor has been cleared over transphobia allegations after playing Harry Potter music in his class.

Dr John Baird was the subject of a year-long investigation at the university after he was accused of being “racist, bigoted, homophobic, misogynistic and transphobic”.

The Zoology professor says he initially “burst out laughing” after he learned that evidence levelled against him included playing Harry Potter music to students.

But the allegations led to a lengthy probe by university bosses.
In a statement yesterday, he went on to claim that the accusations have come from a group of postgraduate students.

He describes them as “trans-activists,” who take issue with his gender-critical views.

And he alleges that students have sent him threats online, put posters on his door and approached him in a bar to confront him.

After months of interviews and investigations, he says he is now “optimistic for the future” having been cleared of the allegations.

Article continues at https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/6896031/aberdeen-university-lecturer-cleared-harry-potter-transphobia-row/

Crikey. Sounds like he has kept his sense of humour. You'd need it in Aberdeen university...

What a bunch of petty, immature children. To think they are post-grads!!! To drag this man through a year of nonsense. Classic example of "the process is the punishment".

I'm also glad he is optimistic about the future of Aberdeen as he has confidence in the leadership. His comment about his students also gives me hope "I’m also very glad to say that excluding the odd activist, my students are the loveliest and brightest young people anyone could have the privilege to meet.”

I almost didn't post this because I just thought "oh no, not another one"!

But thought it should be acknowledge what this lecturer has been put throught this trail for over a year.

I wonder just how many there have been.

I am sure there are others who for whatever reason dont want the publicity, and those who do and cant get it.

Why have we ended up with so many young adults who can't cope with someone having a different opinion.

And how have they been allowed to have such power?

I wonder what sanctions were handed to the students who threatened their lecturer.

Just about to say this. Until there’s serious consequences these activists will continue to threaten violence.

I was wondering if the colleague who also made an issue has gotten away with that. This poor lecturer shouldn't just let everyone brush it under the carpet.

Like the sub editor amending the copy in The Times at the weekend to call Transgender Trend an "anti trans group". Until this lot of pathetic vindictive snowflakes start FO, they will continue to FA.

We handed students all the power as soon as they became customers and managers elevated their "feedback" to have such significance.

Good for this professor that he has managed to get through it, unlike some.

This would be unbelievable if it weren’t entirely believable.

It's a very pertinent question. How the hell did we get here? What is wrong with these young people and what has encouraged them to feel this is an ok way to behave, where they can make such demands to be centred by others?

And why are supposedly rigorous academic institutions having any truck with it? Their senior leadership should be hanging their head in shame that they've steered these institutions into this idiotic, anti-intellectual morass.

Commodification of higher education. Consumer is king. Shift in funding model from govt to student loans (in England). Scotland ought to be better in this area. But also generally educational fads/trends such as student voice, student experience, inclusivity. Well intentioned but scales have tipped too far the other way.

DEI and all tge bs it involves particularly the pervasive idea of micro aggressions.

I do hope that the university is disciplining the member of staff who published his email address and I wonder if there will be any consequences for the idiot who sent the death threats

Looking at the thread on X, it seems like the colleague has now left the University, rather suddenly.

It’s horrifying isn’t it?

Apparently he didn't (and never had) teach any of them!

Bonkers!

I liked Kathleen Stock's reply on X

Were they even students?

Or just middle aged men from Scotland looking for the socials to promote their career as an activist and make money

Well intentioned but scales have tipped too far the other way.

Yes it seems to be the culture of the 2020s that people are unable to be moderate.

And social media enables people to issue death threats and other threats of violence as easily as breathing out.

Couldn’t agree more. I have very little patience overall with this generation of snowflakes and their cancel culture. Why bother going to university?

In the US there's been a federal case deciding that students must not be required to use preferred pronouns for transgender students. This essentially opens the door for making GC a protected belief, and it would seem, the legal foundation is being laid for for full disambiguation of sex and gender in law.

www.msn.com/en-us/politics/general/appeals-court-sides-with-parent-group-in-fight-over-ohio-school-district-s-pronoun-policy/ar-AA1PYhdk

What a waste of bloody time and resources

Why did it take the Uni a year to come to a decision it should have reached in one afternoon. 🤬
I'm glad he's been cleared and that he's brushing his whole experience off as a joke, that might be the best way to deal with these clowns. 🤔

I find the music in the labs a bit unusual. None of my lab sessions ever had music.

Im glad he's been cleared, like others, it's depressing that it took a year, but universities are duty bound to investigate complaints. Let's hope Ghana they've flagged any future complaints of the same nature as to be filed under B1 N.