A PROFESSOR embroiled in a row over her views on gender identity has accused a branch of an academic union of “effectively” ending her career after it called for her employer to take a “strong stance” against transphobia.

Kathleen Stock, professor of philosophy at the University of Sussex, has faced calls to be removed from her post following accusations of transphobia.

However, amid protests from a group of students, the university’s vice-chancellor said the institution would not tolerate threats to “academic freedoms,” adding everyone at the university has the right to be free from “harassment and intimidation.”

The Sussex branch of the University and College Union (UCU) has said trans and non binary members “now more than ever should receive the unequivocal support” of the university, adding: “We urge our management to take a clear and strong stance against transphobia at Sussex.”

A statement from the executive and representatives of the branch said: “Now is the time for our university leadership to uphold the institution’s stated values by ensuring that the dignity and respect of trans and non binary staff and students, and their allies, are enshrined at the core of the university’s culture, a commitment that was inexcusably absent from the vice-chancellor’s statement on October 7.”

Posters calling for Professor Stock to be fired were put up near the Falmer campus last week, with protesters holding a banner saying “Stock Out.”

In response to the UCU Sussex statement, Professor Stock said on Twitter: “My former union branch has just effectively ended my career at Sussex University.”

On Twitter, the University of Sussex said: “We have acted - and will continue to act - firmly and promptly to tackle bullying and harassment, to defend the fundamental principle of academic freedom, to support our community and continue to progress our work on equality, diversity and inclusion.

“There are a range of very strong issues and opinions held across the university on a whole variety of issues and topics, including how we support our trans and non binary community particularly at this time.”

They added that they will be encouraging the university’s community to “come together” to discuss such issues in the coming weeks.

Prof Stock once told The Argus women-only areas should not allow transgender people who still have male genitalia.

She said: “I am definitely not saying that trans women are particularly dangerous – they are definitely not. Most trans people are law abiding and wouldn’t dream of harming anyone. However, many trans women are still males with male genitalia, many are sexually attracted to females, and they should not be in places where females undress or sleep in a completely unrestricted way.”

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