The University of Cambridge’s distinguished Institute of Astronomy has actually been accused of tolerating misogyny and a “cycle of bullying” in an employment tribunal.The claim, brought
by a teacher of astrophysics, Wyn Evans, also declares the University of Cambridge has retaliated against whistleblowers.The Institute of Astronomy is one of the biggest departments of its kind, where scientists face questions about the formation of the solar system and the evolution of the universe.Evans, who last year stood to be the University of Cambridge’s chancellor with an anti-bullying manifesto, stated that the Institute of Astronomy experiences”a bad history of misogyny “. Evans declared that a person lady in the department was” hounded out of a task “, another had been”left a frightened female” and a third had faced “aggressive professors” at the institute.The university
denies Evans’ claims and implicates him of a vendetta versus the institute’s director, a claim in turn rejected by Evans.With his voice breaking in the second week of a tribunal in Bury St Edmunds, Evans said he had become concerned about the welfare of a colleague, Dr Gudrun Tausch-Pebody, in 2021, adding:”We were faced with an important situation.”Akua Reindorf KC, for the University of
Cambridge, suggested Evans’emotional testimony in court about the suicide of a previous associate amounted to” crocodile tears”.”No, which is an offensive thing to say, “Evans replied.Dr Tausch-Pebody signed up with the institute in 2012 as a European Commission contracts manager. In June 2021, she was issued with an “end of agreement” notification regardless of, Evans declares, moneying being available to support her function. Evans declared Dr Tausch-Pebody was being deliberately weakened by a senior colleague, an allegation the university denies.In a composed submission, Dr Tausch-Pebody expressed her appreciation to Evans for his “nerve”in
stepping in to safeguard her from declared bullying by a senior member of personnel. “Prof Evans ‘issue for me was based upon my distress. He saw a pattern of repeated and seemingly endured mistreatment of female members of the administrative personnel,”she composed.” What was finished with this end-of-contract letter was akin to mental torture.” Dr Tausch-Pebody declared that her work was undermined, challenged and decreased by a superior which had an”enduring effect “on her psychological health.Evans described one night”agonising over what to do, whom to get in touch with, and whether Dr Tausch-Pebody would still be alive the next day. When I checked my email the next morning, I felt a wave of relief to see messages from her sent overnight. She might not have actually slept, however at least she was still alive.” Evans submitted what he declares were whistleblowing disclosures setting out his concerns about the treatment of Dr Tausch-Pebody by senior staff at the institute. Dr Evans also claimed the institute had a”awful record”of supporting female administrative staff.He claimed no action was required to secure Dr Tausch-Pebody, however complaints were rather raised against himself and 2 other teachers by the Institute of Astronomy’s director, Prof Richard McMahon.
Evans said: “It is unprecedented in Cambridge University for a head of department to make a grievance against three professors all at once.” The university dismissed McMahon’s accusations versus the teachers, sayingno evidence had actually been submitted in assistance of the claims. Evans told the tribunal that regardless of the absence of evidence, the complaint”took practically two years for the university to dismiss “. His colleague, Prof Vasily Belokurov, who this month was collectively granted the highly prestigious 2026 Kavli prize for astrophysics, stated in a composed submission: “The result of the prolonged examinations into Wyn Evans … was that our research group faced near collapse.”Evans initiated separate legal proceedings against McMahon, declaring claims made in the grievance were defamatory. He has informed the tribunal the head of department fought the libel procedures”depending on the university’s support and funding through its insurance policy”
. In 2023, a preliminary issues judgment concluded the declarations made by McMahon were defamatory. The case has considering that been settled out of court.Evans claims that given that making a problem in 2021, he has “lost all faith in the fundamental stability of senior individuals in my university … Looking back, I could never ever have actually pictured the scale of damage in my life that would follow.”The tribunal is being heard to assess whether Evans got destructive treatment as a result of whistleblowing.Reindorf declared Evans’accusations became part of an”obsessive vendetta”versus McMahon. She stated the University of Cambridge is defending Evans ‘claim “at really terrific expense”. McMahon rejects the claims
. He is set up to give proof personally this week. A representative for the University of Cambridge stated:”
The university strongly turns down these claims and is vigorously safeguarding this case. “The tribunal continues.