Macquarie University dean apologises after ‘ill-judged’ comments

Professor Magnus Nydén, the executive dean of science and engineering at the Australian university, has “unequivocally” apologised for comments “regarding theories about the biological differences between men and women and how this translates into suitability for certain types of work”.

In an email to staff, Prof Dowton said that he would be investigating Nydén’s comments in a “fact-finding independent exercise to establish what transpired at the faculty event”.

In an email apology to staff, Nydén said that beliefs surrounding biological differences were “very dangerous” and that it was his intention to “expose” them.

He wrote: “I honestly can’t believe the way that I raised these issues today – on a day like this when the full focus should have been on celebrating women’s success in Stem.

“I am absolutely supportive of women’s careers in Stem and am dedicated to removing systemic barriers in this faculty that limit the opportunities of talented and capable people, whatever their gender.”

He added: “I understand my question and comments earlier today at the IWD event around biological differences in males and females have upset many people. I am deeply sorry that this has occurred, and in fact, I can’t believe that I could have made such ill-judged remarks. I want to unequivocally apologize for what I said.

In the last few weeks I have been exposed to some social media debates, including some extremist views about biological differences between men and women which I believe to be very dangerous

– Professor Magnus Nydén

“It is not what I meant to communicate at all. In the last few weeks I have been exposed to some social media debates, including some extremist views about biological differences between men and women which I believe to be very dangerous.

“My remarks were aimed at exposing such views and generating discussion. I now realise that instead, these remarks were understandably interpreted as being things I believe in. Nothing could be further from the case.”

A spokeswoman for Macquarie University said: “We acknowledge that Prof Nydén has unequivocally apologised for these misrepresenting comments and clarified his position as a dedicated advocate for women, especially in Stem.”

She said the university was “strongly committed to building an equitable and inclusive organisational culture and to addressing structural barriers to gender equity”.