Paying the consequences: Thomas Docherty’s suspension

[dropcap]I[/dropcap]t was revealed that the wrongful suspension of Thomas Docherty will cost the university over £100,000 in legal fees. The longstanding case, against the popular professor, has been surrounded by controversy and as the university is facing the monetary consequences of this case, the Boar looks back at the trajectory of the suspension.

The case of Prof. Thomas Docherty began in January of last year, when the English and Comparative Literature lecturer was accused of undermining his boss and giving out “negative vibes”.The complaint focused on a specific occasion when, while interviewing candidates for a staff position, he was alleged to have undermined the former head of English at Warwick, Catherine Bates.

These allegations led to a harsh nine-month suspension. Docherty was not only banned from teaching but also from any contact with colleagues or undergraduates. He was prohibited from writing references for his students, without express permission, as well as providing guidance with PHDs; on top of this he was deprived of attending an event held at University and writing the preface to a book.

From the beginning of his suspension there were rumours surrounding its validity. Professor Docherty was very vocal in expressing his political views as both a prominent critic of the perceived marketisation of higher education and as a supporter of anti-cuts activism. An example of his outspoken criticism can be seen in a 2013 article he wrote for the Times Higher Education where he described Russell Group universities, of which Warwick is a member, as “a self-declared elite… exerting a negative influence over others”.

As media coverage built, the University was forced to address these rumours and defend its position, stating “Contrary to those inaccurate reports… the disciplinary allegations in no way relate to the content of the individual’s views on HE policy.” However, this did not stop growing support for the professor.

His suspension was finally lifted in September ahead of a university tribunal that cleared him of all charges. Writing on the Facebook page “Warwick Students, Alumni & Friends in support of Professor Thomas Docherty” he wrote of how “deeply moved and touched” he was by the level of support he had received. Warwick has not expressly apologised but has admitted that there are “lessons to be learned” and once again reiterated that the suspension was in no way related to Professor Docherty’s academic work or views.

The president of the University and College Union branch at Warwick said that Professor Docherty’s case suggested Warwick’s “need to review the governance of the university”.

The wrongful suspension of Thomas Docherty has not only cost the University financially but is also another incident to add to Warwick’s growing list of controversies.

During the professor’s suspension, Warwick has seen itself become the focus of national media coverage over the police’s use of CS spray on student protesters, triggering one of the largest protests ever seen on campus. Nigel Thrift accepted a contentious £42,000 pay rise and of course we won the Times University of the Year.