UK college rejects trans sports research proposal due to use of the word “male.”

UK University Rejects Research Proposal on Transgender Athletes Due to Use of “Male”

A university in the United Kingdom has rejected a research proposal on transgender athletes in sports after the use of the word “male.” Professor John Armstrong at Kings College London submitted a proposal to survey athletes about their views on transgender athletes in sports, but the ethics committee rejected the proposal due to the presence of the words “male” and “female.”

Activist Interference in Research

Armstrong argued that the ethics board essentially dictated that he could not acknowledge biological sex in the slightest. “By preventing me from using the word ‘male,’ the ethics review was in effect preventing me from using the concept of sex at all,” he said. “Activist interference in what can be researched erodes the integrity of science… Political policing of research introduces a new ethical-review bias.”

Commitment to Quality Research

Kings College London later released a statement saying that the school is committed to “research” of the highest quality. “While we can’t comment on individual research applications, we are strongly committed to ensuring that the research carried out by our staff and students is consistently of the highest quality and to the most rigorous standards,” the statement said. “This is important to instill confidence in academic communities, funding bodies, and crucially the public that the data, findings, and results produced by our researchers are sound and trustworthy.”

University of Pennsylvania Swimmer Lia Thomas

University of Pennsylvania swimmer Lia Thomas has made headlines recently for her success in swimming competitions. She is a transgender woman who has been competing in women’s events. Her success has sparked debate about transgender athletes in sports.

Takeaways

• A UK university rejected a research proposal on transgender athletes due to the use of the word “male.”
• Activists interfering in research can erode the integrity of science.
• Kings College London is committed to ensuring that research is of the highest quality.
• Transgender athlete Lia Thomas has sparked debate about transgender athletes in sports.