Oxford lecturer with beard and breast prosthesis draws complaints

A scandal has erupted at the University of Oxford over 36-year-old biochemistry lecturer Matt Rattley. Female graduates, students' parents and some staff members have complained about his appearance: a beard, red lipstick and large silicone breasts. The university does not publicly comment on the personal affairs of its employees.

According to Britain's Daily Mail, the college leadership has received several formal complaints. Critics argue that the lecturer's style of dress looks excessively sexualised and may demean female students and women colleagues.

What students and staff are saying

One former student admitted that Rattley's breasts made her uncomfortable, but said that at Oxford nobody takes women's discomfort into account. She described an atmosphere in which people are afraid to speak out in public.

Another student said that any criticism, as she saw it, would instantly have been branded as prejudice. One female lecturer recalled a training session where she did not know where to look: she found her colleague's prominent silicone breasts distracting.

A former postgraduate student, whom Rattley never taught directly but whom she regularly encountered in the university community, says she quickly realised that voicing her opinion out loud was unacceptable here. According to her, most colleagues openly backed the lecturer, as did the university's equality, diversity and inclusion representatives. “There was no one to turn to without being judged,” she added.

“Double standards” and the university's position

The story has sparked a debate about where self-expression ends and professional standards begin. Conservative commentators and some academics believe the university applies double standards.

The American outlet Daily Wire quoted Oxford professor Michael Biggs, who said there are grounds to believe that Rattley creates a demeaning and offensive environment, especially for female students, which may amount to sexual harassment. Biggs stressed, however, that in their private lives everyone is entitled to do as they please, but that “sexual interests” should not be brought into the workplace.

University management declined to discuss personnel matters. Its statement says only that the university strives to be an inclusive environment where all members of the academic community feel respected and can be themselves. Rattley himself has not publicly explained his behaviour in any detail.

Matt Rattley graduated from Somerville College in 2012 with distinction and has taught biochemistry at several Oxford colleges for more than ten years, most recently at St Hilda's College. Besides science and teaching, he is involved in music and takes part in projects applying artificial intelligence in education.

Around Prague, based on reporting by novinky.cz