Cambridge University withdraws fellowship of Canadian psychologist Jordan Peterson who refuses to refer to trans people by their preferred pronouns
- Jordan Peterson had been billed to deliver a ten-part lecture series at Cambridge
- But after furious online backlash the Faculty of Divinity did a U-turn on the offer
- Mr Peterson is renowned for refusing to call trans people by preferred pronouns
- The psychology professor often decries the lack of free speech in academia
By Ross Ibbetson For Mailonline
Published: 21:03 GMT, 20 March 2019 | Updated: 02:33 GMT, 21 March 2019
Cambridge University have pulled their offer of a fellowship for the Canadian psychologist Jordan Peterson after fury at his gender stance.
The academic – who has more than a million followers on Twitter – rose to prominence when he challenged Canadian legislators over compelling speech over trans people's preferred pronouns.
He is openly anti-political correctness and believes that men are as much the victim's of gender discrimination as the perpetrators of it.
The University of Toronto professor caused backlash at Cambridge this week when he announced he would be visiting the Faculty of Divinity for a series of lectures.
Jordan Peterson at the Cambridge Union last November, today the students' union welcome the Faculty of Divinity's U-turn on inviting him to give a series of lectures
Clare and King's College at Cambridge – the students' union wrote today: 'His work and views are not representative of the student body and as such we do not see his visit as a valuable contribution to the University'
Cambridge swiftly backtracked, with the faculty tweeting: 'Jordan Peterson requested a visiting fellowship at the Faculty of Divinity, and an initial offer has been rescinded after a further review.'
One person commented, 'Good. The offer should never have been made in the first place.'
Mr Peterson has made constant arguments of the dangers of barring freedom of expression at academic institutions.
Cambridge University's Students' Union wrote on Facebook: 'When we refer to Peterson's views not being representative of the student body, we refer directly to his history of actively espousing discriminatory views towards minority groups, not to academic freedom.'
Their statement continued: 'It is a political act to associate the University with an academic’s work through offers which legitimise figures such as Peterson.
'His work and views are not representative of the student body and as such we do not see his visit as a valuable contribution to the University, but one that works in opposition to the principles of the University.'
Mr Peterson's '12 Rules for Life' rapidly became an Amazon bestseller and his recent explosive interview with Channel 4's Cathy Newman became a viral sensation.
He has argued widely against what he describes as 'cultural Marxism' which he believes seeks to look at people as oppressed through the lens of a power structure which permeates all aspects of life.
Mr Peterson has become an unlikely global superstar for his refusal to bow to the mainstream views on trans people
Mr Peterson's lectures on psychology – in particular the peer reviewed study of the differences between men and women – were his most popular and catapulted him to stardom.
But Mr Peterson has been called highly controversial and attracted criticism for statements he has made about feminism, trans people and race.
He has referred to the concept of white privilege as a 'Marxist lie.'
