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"Sheffield University ‘conspiracy theory’ professor quits
By Ewan Somerville -April 17 2019
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A controversial professor who came under fire for “undermining” anti-Semitism allegations within the Labour Party and allegedly engaged with pro-Assad and 9/11 conspiracy theories has left the University of Sheffield.
The University today confirmed the departure of Piers Robinson, a senior lecturer in propaganda at the institution’s prestigious Journalism department.
Robinson, who was the Chair of Politics, Society and Political Communication at the University, was heavily criticised for his views by academics and students who have spoken to Forge Press.
His exit comes shortly after Forge Press’ investigation into his online behaviour in April, however Robinson insists he received no criticism or pressure to leave from the University of Sheffield.
Exit follows probe into professor’s online behaviour
Forge Press’ investigation found that Robinson was sharing posts on his own social media accounts, and signed a petition in defence of suspended Labour MP Chris Williamson, which claimed that anti-Semitism allegations in Labour were “being used as a weapon to silence those who speak out against injustice”.
The Union of Jewish Students (UJS) hit out at his behaviour, accusing him of “undermining the fight against anti-Semitism” in the Labour Party, and called for the University to take action.
Confirming his exit, Robinson said: “Following my decision to leave the University I will now be focusing full-time on researching and writing about propaganda including, in particular, critical analysis of propaganda and deception during the war in Syria and the broader 9/11 global ‘war on terror’.”
Richard Dawidek, a PhD student at the University of Sheffield, said: “I’m pleased to hear that having left the university, Robinson will no longer be able to use the status afforded by the title of professor at a Russell Group university to legitimise his writings promoting the actions of a tyrant.”
http://web.archive.org/web/20211027130918/https://forgetoday.com/2019/04/17/sheffield-university-professor-piers-robinson-syria-war-assad-conspiracy-chris-williamson-anti-semitism/ |