Arthur Laureiro, a researcher and former professor at University College London, recently shared an open letter on Twitter on Friday, describing the university as a ‘toxic place’.
Seven years after leaving the university, Arthur, who was in the Astrophysics Group of the Department of Physics and Astronomy, posted a tweet calling the university. He also warned potential students who are planning to take a position at the UCL Astros. The title of the letter shared by the researcher read: “Open letter about my years at University College London.” He began with the letter, saying, “Today is my last day at UCL. After more than 7 years at university, I can only feel sorry.”
Today is my last day at University College London, and I want to get out of my chest the nightmare I’ve been living there for the past 4 years
Please read my open letter about the position and share it carefully with potential students who may take up a post at UCL Astro pic.twitter.com/G5A1tPSHGh
— Arthur Laurero (@cosmonist) September 30, 2022
He continued and said that he regretted the day he earned his Ph.D. accepted. At UCL and all the consequences that came with it affected his mental health, professional and personal life, and family. He revealed that during his PhD, he has been a victim of bullying, harassment and intimidation.
The researcher then noted that he followed their guidelines of ‘report and support’, and filed a formal complaint. The disciplinary hearing that justified his allegation took place nearly two years later. “Nevertheless, UCL was reluctant to take any action to protect me and only impose ineffective sanctions on the perpetrator,” he said.
He also cited that UCL even refused to provide him with documents that justify why he did not have a supervisor reference letter. “You all know what this results in the career of a young researcher,” he said. Arthur said that for nearly two years, he has been asking the educational institution to help him deal with the consequences. He alleged that the university was hiding behind ever-changing staff, bureaucratic procedures and policies that only worked in favor of the criminal.
He also mentioned that UCL has outstanding astrophysicists and cosmologists and others who are brilliant, brilliant people who stand up for what is right. The researcher also took a dig at the UCL report and the support cell, calling it “nothing but a PR stunt”.
Arthur quoted, “I reported, but they did not support. The ‘zero tolerance policy’ in practice at UCL once on all walls (and I quote an email I received from UCL HR staff) is ‘a very high ‘limit’.”
He advised future students, post-doctors and faculty who wish to join UCL Astro. He bolded the text in the letter, saying to ‘stay away’ and if they already are, “run away as quickly as possible.” The researcher claimed the educational institution to be a toxic place and the astrophysics group disintegrated and were forced to shelter a dangerous man among the outstanding and the great.
In the open letter, he also warned prospective students that UCL is not a safe environment. “There is only so much a good staff member can do for your safety. Stay away,” he said. The tweet has been liked by over 5,000 users and retweeted by nearly 900 people.
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