Female academic loses sex discrimination fight with uni

AFEMALE academic has lost her sex discrimination fight aga i n st one of Scotland’s oldest universities but the institution has been urged to review its promotion procedures.

Jeanette Findlay claimed her application to be made a professor of economics was rejected by the University of Glasgow on account of her gender.

The tribunal was told that as of January 2020, there had never been a woman promoted to a chair in economics at Glasgow University in the entire history of the University from its foundation in 1451.

Professor Anton Muscatelli said during the hearing that it was “shameful” so few women were promoted to senior roles within the institution.

However, an employment judge agreed with the university, that the 62- year- old’s application was turned down because she did not meet the promotion criteria and it was “unconnected to her sex”.

Commenting on the ruling, the Glasgow- based academic said she was “disappointed but not surprised given that few women win sex discrimination cases”.

Ms Findlay was a senior lecturer at the Adam Smith Business School when she applied to be promoted to professor of economics in January 2020 and had been a university employee for 33 years.

However, her application was not supported by her line manager and head of school, professor John Finch, who said she only met three out of the four required criteria.

He said she had not met the standard for ‘ esteem’ which includes awards and being invited to join fellowships.

His decision was backed by the College Promotions Committee and the Board of Review who declined her application. She appealed the decision and the university sought an independent view from professor Mason who agreed with the outcome.

Ms Findlay took the case to a tribunal saying she had been the victim of unlawful, indirect sex discrimination, contrary to Section 19 of the Equality Act 2010.

The tribunal judge said the fact that another woman had been made a professor of economics “defeated” the sex discrimination case.

Ms Findlay was then promoted to the post last year.

The tribunal was told that prior to her application in October 2020 she was appointed a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, in March 2021 she was made vice president of UCU Scotland and in April 2021 she was elected to the General Council of the Scottish Economic Society. Her manager said this meant she had now met the criteria for esteem.

While he rejected her claim of sex discrimination, in his closing remarks, employment judge Rory McPherson called on the university’s governing bodies to review mentoring, career development and academic promotion policies.

He was also critical that a scheme that promotes gender equality was not in place in all schools within the university.