Thread by @AdamRutherford

I have signed this short essay written by evolutionary biologist Armand Leroi criticising Imperial College London’s decision to remove Thomas Huxley from their campuses. Long version republished here; A short 🧵

bit.ly/3AooFFf

The content of the letter adequately explains why, and I need not supply further details here. However, here is some broader personal context. I support the removal of Galton and Pearson from UCL’s campus, and indeed was involved in the decision to remove RA Fisher.

I’ve written about this and other historical reassessments of our intellectual forebears in an academic paper, in the mainstream press, and in my new book (link in bio)
bit.ly/3pQWacz

I believe each of these examinations should be assessed on a case-by-case basis, and Huxley’s removal is misguided. More can be found here, by @NickJMatzke
bit.ly/3GQWr8I

The letter was rejected by Nature on the grounds that it does not publish petitions. That it is in the Telegraph is not untroublesome to me, as they are an engine of discord and seek to promote culture wars with munition such as this.

Indeed, they have a reporter whose sole beat appear to be scouring academic disagreement for fatuous chum to feed their voracious readers. However, I believe the content of the essay to be more important.

Nor do I necessarily endorse the broader views of all my co-signatories, but in this case share their views on THH. I believe that if you readily use the word ‘woke’ in such discussions, you are voluntarily signalling a political position which I find vacuous.

Finally: it is important and right that institutions examine their histories, tied as they are to pernicious acts of our forebears We should use these moments to learn our histories, as scientists and for the broader public. In this case, the wrong decisions has been taken </🧵>

The letter as it appears in the Telegraph