One of Cambridge University's most famous colleges tightens rules on sexual harassment and bullying

One of Cambridge University's most famous colleges is introducing a series of measures to strengthen how it handles complaints of sexual harassment and bullying involving senior academics. King's College will appoint a senior barrister to lead an independent review of its culture, expand its human resources oversight and publish the review's findings, Provost Gillian Tett told Bloomberg News.

The reforms come after internal investigations upheld allegations of sexual harassment against two senior male academics who had long been associated with King's College.

"The real issue at stake is not just the fact that unseemly behavior has happened in Cambridge and in Oxford," Tett said. "It's also that inappropriate behavior has gone on for a very long time and been swept under the carpet or normalized, rather than directly dealt with or confronted."


The external review is expected to be completed by the spring. Tett said it would examine the college's policies on bullying and harassment and assess whether King's is providing a safe and welcoming environment for students and staff.

The changes follow disciplinary action against two prominent academics. Classicist Simon Goldhill resigned from the University of Cambridge last month after an internal investigation upheld allegations of sexual harassment. A disciplinary tribunal process is continuing, and restrictions have been placed on his access to department spaces and events. Geophysicist Herbert Huppert, an emeritus professor, was stripped of his King's College fellowship and barred from university departments after allegations against him were upheld. Bloomberg reported that neither responded to requests for comment.

Tett declined to discuss the individual cases but acknowledged the impact on those affected.

"It is clear that there are people within the university system that have suffered over the years, I'm deeply, deeply sorry for that," she said.

Cambridge Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Education Bhaskar Vira said cases of sexual harassment remained a serious concern.

"It is deeply upsetting that cases of sexual harassment still happen at Cambridge," Vira said. "We are committed to doing everything we can to improve our processes and recognise that accountability and continual improvement are critical."

King's College is also bringing its senior academics, known as fellows, under its HR system to improve accountability. The college has reviewed its internal procedures to ensure it can investigate serious allegations more effectively, Tett said.

Cambridge University said its central administration and colleges have agreed to review how information is shared across the institution, develop a joint risk assessment and improve anti-harassment training for staff and students. The work is due to begin in the next academic year.

Tett said she has discussed the issue with leaders of several Cambridge and Oxford colleges, many of whom want stronger reporting systems and better oversight of emeritus professors, whose honorary status can create significant power imbalances.

She said the review at King's is intended to demonstrate that the college is willing to be held accountable while ensuring fair treatment for everyone involved.

"King's College is full of amazing people who mostly have good values and high standards of behavior," Tett said, adding that there would not be a "witch hunt."

Some King's students are also considering conducting their own review of the college's anti-harassment processes, with support from the college if they proceed.