A Netherlands college has eliminated a former observatory head from his put up after allegations of “extraordinarily unacceptable habits”, based on a report.
Tim de Zeeuw, now a former astronomer with Leiden College, confirmed the elimination Wednesday (Oct. 26) in a press release through a lawyer to Physics World (opens in new tab). He was additionally previous director-general of the European Southern Observatory between 2007 and 2017, and previous director of Leiden Observatory from 2003 to 2007.
The assertion stated the astronomer “can not agree” with the college’s government board resolution, however he’ll observe “all measures imposed,” the report added.
Associated: #MeToo in area: We should deal with the potential for sexual harassment and assault away from Earth
Leiden officers issued a press release (opens in new tab) on Oct. 18 that reported the outcomes of an investigation brought on it to take away a professor, which it didn’t identify, who “subjected varied colleagues to intimidating and unacceptable habits for an extended interval.” The professor was suspended whereas the investigation happened, officers added.
“The professor won’t be allowed to return to the college [and] will now not be allowed to oversee Ph.D. candidates,” Leiden officers wrote, pledging they’d “look critically on the classes that we as a college should be taught from this, and the way we are able to be certain that unacceptable habits is addressed sooner sooner or later.”
The Leiden investigation happened “after varied members of employees had submitted a criticism to the dean in regards to the professor in query,” college officers added, noting the investigation included an unbiased complaints committee in addition to the college’s government board.
Each the Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics in Garching, Germany and the intergovernmental astronomy group ESO additionally minimize ties with the previous Leiden professor. The elimination from Max Planck was reported in Physics World, whereas ESO officers issued their very own assertion (opens in new tab) Wednesday.
“We specific our deep assist and sympathy for the victims of this harassment. ESO is strongly in opposition to all types of harassment, bullying and different unacceptable habits,” ESO officers stated, including the astronomer is banned from all observatory premises, conferences and knowledge expertise services.
Observe Elizabeth Howell on Twitter @howellspace (opens in new tab). Observe us on Twitter @Spacedotcom (opens in new tab) or Fb.