The Jo Phoenix case shows the perils of academic mobbing

Excellent article. University managers (and governors) need to get a grip so as to avoid the risk of hefty financial losses as the U is hit by adverse ET decisions - and academe must get over its propensity to engage in ‘mobbing’ by way of a social media ‘pile on’. As the articles notes, the ET judgement should be read by managers - and its critique of the shameful lack of rationality and accuracy on the part of some OU academics is a depressing warning to academics everywhere as they are tempted to join an online rant. Ranting is not protected by invoking academic freedom.

Excellent article! Let's hope the newly-appointed Director for Freedom of Speech and Academic Freedom at the Office for Students makes a difference.

One of the few signs of hope is the OU's acknowledgement after the case that they got this badly wrong.

I am a graduate of the OU (in STEM subjects) and withdrew my financial support on first hearing about this case. Despite the administration's recent apologetic remarks, I see little evidence in their alumni publications that the underlying culture has changed, sadly.

The irony of the mobbing of vulnerable trans people seems to be lost on Professor Pace.