Research Into Trans Athletes Rejected After Professor Misgendered Trans Women

Trans athlete research has been shut down after a professor called trans women “males”.

Dr John Armstrong, a scholar at King's College London (KCL), applied to carry out a survey of elite athletes and volunteers on whether trans women, should compete in women's track and field categories and whether they felt they could express their views.

However, the university's ethics panel rejected his application last week citing equality and diversity concerns.

In a rejection letter, the university said: “The language is not sensitive and the misgendering of athletes is not appropriate... there is obvious bias in the language and there is very little scientific reasoning underpinning the hypothesis.”

KCL took issue with how Dr Armstrong had referred to trans women as “males” in his research proposal.

Dr Armstrong's application had said: “The principle aim of the project is to find the views of athletes and volunteers on the question of when males should be allowed to compete in the female category in athletics.”

The row comes as World Athletics President Seb Coe banned trans women from competing in female international events this week.

UK Athletics has said it wants an “open” category for those of all sexes, while national track, field and cross-country competitions for English school pupils will bar trans girls from female races too.

However, Lord Coe said “we're not saying no forever” and there remains a patchwork of rules on trans athletes at national, Olympic and grassroots level.

Dr Armstrong, a reader in financial mathematics, also accused the ethics chiefs of an “ad hominem” attack on his expertise after they questioned why he was leading the project.

He is already conducting statistical analyses on trans athletes and had brought in Prof Alice Sullivan, a leading survey expert, as co-investigator of the proposed project.

KCL's panel also said “there is a risk that some participants might be unhappy or distressed by the questions that are being posed to them" and asked Dr Armstrong to "please contact the Equality, Diversity & Inclusion team to seek input on the wording used”.

Read related myGwork articles here:

World Athletics Bans Trans Women From Female Events

Surfer Bethany Hamilton Speaks Out Against Policy Allowing Trans Athletes In Female Category

Trans Women Athletes Gain No Unfair Advantage, Report Finds

International Olympic Committee Updates Guidelines For Trans Athletes

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