Almut Gadow v Open University
Law Lecturer alleges unfair dismissal for rejecting gender identity ideology
Almut Gadow, ex-law lecturer, is bringing an employment claim against the Open University alleging she was harassed, discriminated against, and unfairly dismissed because she rejects gender ideology and believes in academic freedom.
Ms Gadow questioned new requirements by the University to incorporate gender identity ideology into the curriculum. Her questions included gender identities, pronouns, the definition of 'LGBT+' and the implications of describing offenders according to self identified sex in the legal system.
Ms Gadow was then dismissed for misconduct when managers deemed her questions ‘unreasonable’ creating an environment which wasn’t 'inclusive, trans-friendly or respectful’. Curriculum creators also complained of feeling 'undermined, harassed, bullied and reputationally damaged'.
Her case raises complex points of human rights, academic freedom, free expression and equality law.
Current Status
The full merits hearing (finding of fact) was listed for 24 February to 21 March 2025 with 15 (and potentially up to 20) witnesses.
UPDATE: On 22nd February 2025, Ms Gadow announced she and the OU had reached a settlement.
Press Coverage
Here are links to a selection of relevant press coverage about this case. These links are included without comment and are not endorsed by Tribunal Tweets. This is a sample of coverage only, with most recent first - it is not comprehensive. Please DM our main Twitter account to submit coverage from an established news outlet. Any paywalled article must be archived.
22nd Feb 2025
Telegraph - Law lecturer ‘sacked over gender-critical beliefs’ handed payout
28 Sept 2023
Times Higher Education - Almut Gadow: ‘Would free speech act have helped me? I’m not sure’
28 Aug 2023
The Spectator - What went wrong at the Open University?
23 Aug 2023
Spiked - The hollowing out of higher education
20 Aug 2023
[VIDEO] Free Speech Nation - Open University Law lecturer sacked for complaining of 'gender identity indoctrination'
19 August 2023
GB News - Woke university sacks lecturer for refusing to 'indoctrinate students' with trans policy
18 Aug 2023
The Telegraph - Law lecturer sacked after complaining of gender identity ‘indoctrination’