Professor Kathleen Stock has recently resigned from the University of Sussex, after 18 years at the university, due to the high-profile debate regarding her disputed views on gender and sexuality. The University is now being investigated by the Independent Regulator of Higher Education due to uncertainty as to whether the institution met its obligations regarding freedom of speech.

After months of death threats, protests and online hate directed towards Professor Stock from students at the University of Sussex as well as other UK universities, due to her opinions that “womanhood and manhood reflect biological sex, not gender or gender identity,” the professor has resigned, despite insisting that she is not a transphobe. 

Whilst many students have been outraged by the Professor’s perceived transphobic views, claiming that her resignation was “a massive win for Sussex LGBTQ+ students,” the university has fiercely defended the right for all professors to exercise their academic freedom. This support was accompanied by 200 academics from other universities who signed a letter, confronting the alleged abuse from “trans activist bullies.”

Consequentially, the education minister for the House of Lords revealed that “an investigation into whether the University of Sussex met its obligations on academic freedom and freedom of speech is being launched,” grounded on the belief that no member of academic staff should have to fear for their safety when expressing their views. 

Whilst the debate originated as an issue at the University of Sussex, it has evolved into a wider, public reflection on an individual’s right to “discuss views about gender and sex without fear of intimidatory reprisals.”