Thompson Rivers University
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November 16, 2018 - 12:18 PM
KAMLOOPS - The interim president of Thompson Rivers University has released a statement in an attempt to clarify the case of an alleged academic freedom violation by a TRU professor.
The Canadian Association of University Teachers, which represents suspended Kamloops professor Derek Pyne, announced last month they had launched an investigation to determine if Pyne’s academic freedom was violated after he published an article that explored the use of so-called ‘predatory publishers’.
However, TRU interim president Christine Bovis-Cnossen says in a statement issued today, Nov. 16, that some media have incorrectly stated that he was disciplined for his research.
“This is not the case. The discipline imposed is related to matters which I am unable to comment on due to both employment and privacy law,” she says in the statement. “I do want to be clear... academic freedom is fully protected at TRU under a collective agreement with our faculty association.”
Bovis-Cnossen goes on to explain the action taken against Pyne was not related to specific research, the dissemination of his research or the exercising of his right to academic freedom.
“We have a strong faculty complement committed to excellence in teaching, research, and scholarship,” she says. “Any faculty member hired or promoted at TRU goes through a robust process which involves a review of research activity and publishing credentials.”
Pyne has been suspended by the university since July.
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