Social geographer Harry Pettit is leaving Radboud University. The University reportedly gave him an ultimatum to distance himself from his statements about Israel, or else he would be fired. Pettit is now leaving for another university.

“For 10 months Radboud University has monitored my private x-account and pressuring me to alter my statements”, writes Assistant Professor Harry Pettit in a statement about his departure from Radboud University. He shared this information via his social media channels this morning. “I was asked to defend myself in written statements, received a warning, told to delete posts and  threatened with dismissal.”

Radboud University, Pettit writes, gave him an ultimatum. He had to amend his statements or dismissal would follow. Whereupon the British social geographer decided to negotiate his departure from the university. Shortly before that ultimatum, Pettit had also signed a contract with another research institution.

‘It was very important for me to be able to speak openly about how Radboud University has acted in the last months’

He has since signed a settlement agreement, he reveals when asked. ‘Which contains no restrictions on what I can and cannot say publicly about Radboud University’, says Pettit. ‘It was very important for me to be able to speak openly about how Radboud has acted in the last months to restrict my speech and succumb to the pressure from the Zionist lobby.’

It is not yet known when Pettit will be leaving and who his new employer will be. He does not wish to comment on it at this point.

Statements not uncontroversial

Pettit has repeatedly appeared in the news lately. He is one of the best-known pro-Palestine demonstrators on campus and is fiercely agitating online against Israel’s genocide in Gaza. He spoke out several times against Radboud University’s ties with Israeli institutions and opposed the arrival of Zionist and Israeli army-affiliated speakers on campus.

However, his statements are not uncontroversial. For example, he previously called for the dismantling of the state of Israel and most recently wrote that it is time “to finish what the Palestinians started on 7 October”, referring to Hamas’ attack on Israel on 7 October 2023 (see box).

On campus too, opinions about the social geographer’s actions have been divided. An open letter was recently published in which current and former students and staff of the university called for the Executive Board to file charges against Pettit. Around the same time, an opinion piece appeared on ScienceGuide in which Pettit’s colleagues on the contrary called on the Executive Board to protect him from the smear campaign against him.

Search for a supportive environment

Earlier this summer, the Assistant Professor was awarded another ECR Starting Grant of some 1.5 million euros, following which he decided to search further for a ‘supportive environment, which facilitates its academics to speak out against Zionism’ and which would provide a stimulating environment for conducting his research. The grant is personal, so he can take the money with him to another university.

‘ I am happy that I can move to a place that supports its academics to speak out’

That quest has been successful. The social geographer writes that he will start working elsewhere “next year”. Where that is is not yet known. The money Pettit takes with him on his departure as part of the settlement agreement will be donated to charities fighting for the freedom of Palestinians, he writes. He does not wish to disclose the exact amount.

He looks back on his time at Radboud University with mixed feelings, Pettit says. ‘I feel a mixture of relief, pride, and sadness. I am very sad to leave my colleagues and inspiring students. But I could no longer accept to work in a place that attempts to suppress speech against Zionism and genocide, and I am happy that I can move to a place that supports its academics to speak out.’

Radboud University would not respond to substantive questions from Vox about the geographer’s departure. In a general statement, a spokesperson wrote the following. “After an intense months-long process, Mr Pettit and Radboud University have agreed to part ways. Radboud University believes that Mr Pettit made statements that were not in line with the University’s Code of Conduct. Mr Pettit sees the matter differently.”