Protests as gender studies chief Alison Kerr replaced at St Andrews University

More than 1,000 students and academics have signed a petition condemning the decision by St Andrews
More than 1,000 students and academics have signed a petition condemning the decision by St Andrews
ALAMY

Hundreds of students and academics from around the world have expressed outrage after St Andrews University refused to renew the contract of the female head of its Institute for Gender Studies.

More than 1,000 students and academics have signed a petition condemning the decision by St Andrews to part company with Alison Kerr. They say that Kerr, an American philosopher who is director of the institute, is crucial to the department and its credibility.

The course will now be taught by other staff who, critics say, do not have a background in the subject.

Dr Kerr said the research area was under attack
Dr Kerr said the research area was under attack

The campaign, Stand with Alison, has attracted support from academics worldwide. Elinor Mason, a professor at the University of California, Santa Barbara, said: “I want to stress how valuable this programme