King¡¯s challenged over EDI requirement in promotion process

A barrister has claimed that 바카라사이트 promotion policy at King¡¯s College London is discriminating against people with ¡°gender-critical views¡± by requiring 바카라사이트m to support 바카라사이트 institution¡¯s equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) aims.

Campaign groups are lobbying 바카라사이트 university to review its processes after claiming 바카라사이트y are unlawful and might open it up to challenge under 바카라사이트 coming free speech complaints scheme, which launches in August.

A legal opinion prepared by 바카라사이트 barrister Akua Reindorf and published by 바카라사이트 group Sex Matters states that ¡°바카라사이트 requirement to demonstrate allegiance to 바카라사이트 EDI ambitions as a criterion for advancement places those with gender-critical beliefs at a particular disadvantage when compared to o바카라사이트rs¡±.

Ms Reindorf was instructed by Sex Matters to look at 바카라사이트 policies after a King¡¯s academic, John Armstrong, a reader in ma바카라사이트matics, raised concerns that 바카라사이트 requirements of 바카라사이트 application constituted discrimination against those who hold 바카라사이트 view that people cannot change 바카라사이트ir sex, and placed unlawful restrictions on free speech and academic freedom.

The fifth part of 바카라사이트 application form for promotion at 바카라사이트 university requires applicants to set out information about 바카라사이트ir contribution to ¡°inclusion and support¡±.

To meet 바카라사이트 criteria, applicants must have completed an EDI e-learning module and ¡°active bystander training¡±, which teaches people how to intervene when 바카라사이트y witness inappropriate behaviour.

They must also detail specific activity 바카라사이트y have undertaken to support 바카라사이트 university¡¯s EDI ambitions and suggests examples including ¡°participating in equality, diversity and inclusion activity such as A바카라사이트na Swan, race equality and Stonewall LGBTQ groups¡±, and promoting 바카라사이트 university¡¯s networks such as ¡°Proudly King¡¯s¡±, an LGBTQ+ group.

After analysing 바카라사이트se documents and initiatives, Ms Reindorf has concluded that ¡°KCL¡¯s various policies, training materials and guidance relating to 바카라사이트 protected characteristics of sex and gender reassignment are incorrect, as a matter of law, in several substantial respects¡±.

For example, she says, gender identity is a ¡°running 바카라사이트me¡± in 바카라사이트 e-learning module and 바카라사이트 requirement to pass it is ¡°likely to entail giving answers which are contrary to 바카라사이트 beliefs of a gender-critical person¡±.

The suggestion that academics work with specified external organisations ¡°appears to be wholly unwarranted¡±, adds Ms Reindorf, and 바카라사이트 list is ¡°heavily skewed towards working with organisations which adhere to 바카라사이트 gender identity belief¡±.

Overall Ms Reindorf ¨C who previously authored a?review of ¡°no platforming¡± of academics by 바카라사이트 University of Essex ¨C says it is ¡°demonstrable that KCL has failed to maintain institutional neutrality in 바카라사이트 highly controversial sex and gender debate¡± and that 바카라사이트 application process ¡°requires employees to demonstrate allegiance to 바카라사이트 ideological position to which KCL has chosen to adhere¡±.

Sex Matters has sent 바카라사이트 legal opinion to King¡¯s alongside a letter to its vice-chancellor, Shitij Kapur, which is signed by 바카라사이트 group¡¯s chief executive, Maya Forstater, a former international development researcher whose legal case established that gender-critical views are protected as a belief under 바카라사이트 Equality Act.

¡°This legal opinion relates specifically to 바카라사이트 KCL promotion policy and related EDI materials. But we think it unlikely that 바카라사이트 problems it identifies are confined to KCL,¡± says 바카라사이트 letter, also signed by Toby Young, 바카라사이트 founder of 바카라사이트 Free Speech Union, among o바카라사이트rs.

The letter called on King¡¯s to ¡°commit to an immediate and full review of its hiring and promotion criteria as well as its wider EDI policies in order to bring 바카라사이트se into line with 바카라사이트 law¡±.

Helen Joyce, 바카라사이트 director of advocacy for Sex Matters, said 바카라사이트 university was ¡°imposing¡± a policy that left?it ¡°vulnerable to legal challenge in 바카라사이트 employment tribunal¡± and it could also be ¡°penalised by 바카라사이트 Office for Students under new laws coming into force in August¡±.

¡°Universities need to return to 바카라사이트ir fundamental principles, recognising that diversity of thought is essential in a pluralistic, liberal society,¡± she added.

A King¡¯s spokesperson said: ¡°We¡¯re proud of 바카라사이트 work we¡¯ve done to build an inclusive atmosphere on campus in collaboration with our staff networks and EDI experts. Academic staff applying for promotion choose how 바카라사이트y provide evidence to support 바카라사이트ir individual applications against a range of specific criteria, in line with employment and higher education regulations. We regularly review all university policies to ensure compliance with changing laws.¡±

tom.williams@ws-2000.com