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Sir Tim Hunt resigns from university role over girls comment Sir Tim Hunt resigns from university role over girls comment
(about 4 hours later)
A Nobel laureate has resigned from his position as honorary professor at a UK university after he made comments about the "trouble with girls" in science.A Nobel laureate has resigned from his position as honorary professor at a UK university after he made comments about the "trouble with girls" in science.
University College London (UCL) said Sir Tim Hunt - a Royal Society fellow - had resigned from his position within its faculty of life sciences.University College London (UCL) said Sir Tim Hunt - a Royal Society fellow - had resigned from his position within its faculty of life sciences.
He told a conference that women in labs "cry" when criticised and "fall in love" with male counterparts.He told a conference that women in labs "cry" when criticised and "fall in love" with male counterparts.
He told the BBC he "did mean" the remarks but was "really sorry".He told the BBC he "did mean" the remarks but was "really sorry".
'Emotional entanglements'
A statement from the university read: "UCL can confirm that Sir Tim Hunt FRS has resigned from his position as honorary professor with the UCL faculty of life sciences following comments he made about women in science at the World Conference of Science Journalists on 9 June.A statement from the university read: "UCL can confirm that Sir Tim Hunt FRS has resigned from his position as honorary professor with the UCL faculty of life sciences following comments he made about women in science at the World Conference of Science Journalists on 9 June.
"UCL was the first university in England to admit women students on equal terms to men, and the university believes that this outcome is compatible with our commitment to gender equality.""UCL was the first university in England to admit women students on equal terms to men, and the university believes that this outcome is compatible with our commitment to gender equality."
Sir Tim, 72 - who was awarded the Nobel prize in physiology or medicine in 2001 for his work on how cells divide - reportedly told the conference in South Korea: "Let me tell you about my trouble with girls.Sir Tim, 72 - who was awarded the Nobel prize in physiology or medicine in 2001 for his work on how cells divide - reportedly told the conference in South Korea: "Let me tell you about my trouble with girls.
"Three things happen when they are in the lab: you fall in love with them, they fall in love with you, and when you criticise them they cry.""Three things happen when they are in the lab: you fall in love with them, they fall in love with you, and when you criticise them they cry."
'Emotional entanglements''Emotional entanglements'
Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today programme on Wednesday, Sir Tim said he was "really sorry that I said what I said", adding it was "a very stupid thing to do in the presence of all those journalists".Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today programme on Wednesday, Sir Tim said he was "really sorry that I said what I said", adding it was "a very stupid thing to do in the presence of all those journalists".
The British biochemist, who was knighted in 2006, said the remarks were "intended as a light-hearted, ironic comment" but had been "interpreted deadly seriously by my audience". The British biochemist, who was knighted in 2006, said the remarks made at a conference in South Korea were "intended as a light-hearted, ironic comment" but had been "interpreted deadly seriously by my audience".
He went on to say he stood by some of the remarks. He went on to say he stood by some of the comments.
"I did mean the part about having trouble with girls," he said."I did mean the part about having trouble with girls," he said.
"I have fallen in love with people in the lab and people in the lab have fallen in love with me and it's very disruptive to the science because it's terribly important that in a lab people are on a level playing field."I have fallen in love with people in the lab and people in the lab have fallen in love with me and it's very disruptive to the science because it's terribly important that in a lab people are on a level playing field.
"I found that these emotional entanglements made life very difficult."I found that these emotional entanglements made life very difficult.
"I'm really, really sorry I caused any offence, that's awful. I certainly didn't mean that. I just meant to be honest, actually.""I'm really, really sorry I caused any offence, that's awful. I certainly didn't mean that. I just meant to be honest, actually."
'Kernel of truth'
Meanwhile, Imran Khan, chief executive of the British Science Association, said the comments were "frustrating".
"Sadly, dealing with sexism and other forms of discrimination are a daily reality for many people, and I imagine it's hard to find Sir Tim's comments funny if you've been held back by systemic bias for years - whether those remarks were intended as a joke or not," he said.
Dr Jennifer Rohn, a cell biologist at University College London, said: "I think it was clear he was trying to be funny. But people will interpret his comments as having a kernel of truth underneath.
"And as a Nobel laureate, I know he's a human being, but he does have some sort of responsibility as a role model and as an ambassador for the profession."
Connie St Louis, a lecturer in science journalism at City University who was in the 100-strong audience in South Korea, said the incident was "shocking".
"It was culturally insensitive and it was very sexist," she said. "I just thought, 'Where in the world do you think you are that you can be making these kind of comments in 2015?'"