14 DAY TRIAL // A couple of days ago, University College London researcher Tim Hunt, who in 2001 was awarded the Nobel prize in physiology and medicine for his work studying cell division, attended the World Conference of Science Journalists in Seoul, South Korea.
At this conference, he made a few comments that didn't exactly sit right with the audience. Or anybody who believes in gender equality, for that matter.
Hence the fact that, following the conference and his ill-inspired speech, the 72-year-old Nobel prize winner found himself the subject of heavy criticism and was left with no choice but to resign from his position as honorary professor at the University College London.
Well, what was it that he said?
Addressing the researchers and the science journalists attending this past Tuesday conference in South Korea, 72-year-old Tim Hunt very matter-of-factly explained that women in science should not work alongside men as no good could come of it.
In a nutshell, he made a case of how having women and men in science share a research laboratory would inevitably lead to romantic affairs and all the accompanying drama. Consequently, the work done in that lab might be compromised.
As the University College London specialist phrased it, “Let me tell you about my trouble with girls. Three things happen when they are in the lab: you fall in love with them, they fall in love with you, and when you criticize them, they cry.”
He did try to apologize
In an interview after his speech on the dangers of having men and women scientists share a laboratory, the researcher tried to defend himself and said that his observations were merely meant as a humorous remark. He never meant to offend anybody.
Nonetheless, he stuck by his words and explained that his whole point was that, since women are more sensible and cry more easily, it can sometimes prove difficult to work with them.
“It’s terribly important that you can criticize people’s ideas without criticizing them. If they break in to tears then you hold back from getting at the absolute truth,” he said, as cited by DM.
Rather than get him out of the mess he was already in, these subsequent comments only made matter worse. So much so that, as mentioned, he was compelled to hand in his resignation.
UCL wants no part in this scandal
The researcher's decision to leave his position as honorary professor was confirmed by the University College London in a statement acknowledging that Tim Hunt resigned on account of the sexist comments he made at the conference in Seoul, South Korea.
When announcing Tim Hunt's resignation, the research institution made sure to mention that it does not condone discrimination and that promoting gender equality is at the top of its agenda.
“UCL was the first university in England to admit women students on equal terms to men, and the university believes that this outcome is compatible with our commitment to gender equality,” it wrote in its statement.