University of Cambridge whistleblower who reported alleged bullying wins employment tribunal

A University of Cambridge whistleblower has successfully won an employment tribunal case against his employer, alleging bullying and a hostile environment for female staff at the university's Institute of Astronomy. Professor Wyn Evans claimed the institute had a "bad history of misogyny," citing instances where women were allegedly "hounded out of a job," left traumatized, or faced aggressive professors.

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a bad history of misogyny

The tribunal determined that after Evans raised his concerns, he was subjected to a nearly two-year investigation by the university. This investigation, the tribunal found, lacked specific details and supporting evidence. Despite the university's stance, the tribunal concluded that Evans genuinely believed there was a problem with how female administrators were treated.

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hounded out of a job

Furthermore, the tribunal criticized Cambridge's handling of Evans's complaints, stating the university was unwilling to consider them under its whistleblowing policy. It described an "institutional mindset" that perceived the astrophysics professor as a "source of difficulty and continuing reputational risk." The tribunal ruled that the investigation into Evans was "baseless, filed in retaliation and likely malicious and vexatious," while many of Evans's own concerns were dismissed without a proper process. The judgment comes amid separate controversies at Cambridge, including recent allegations against professor Jason Arday.

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an institutional mindset