Oxford University is facing criticism over its handling of a bearded lecturer who has appeared in class wearing oversized prosthetic breasts.
Sex Matters, a gender-critical campaign group, said it appeared that nobody at the university had considered whether Matt Rattley’s conduct could constitute harassment of female students.
The organisation said there was “no evidence” that Mr Rattley identifies as a woman and urged Oxford to put an end to what it described as inappropriate behaviour.
The biochemistry lecturer at St Hilda’s College has sparked controversy online over his appearance, which has included women’s clothing, makeup and the large prosthetic breasts.
Concerns intensified last week after three St Hilda’s graduates, among them a prominent clinical psychologist, wrote to the college. They claimed Mr Rattley’s behaviour “violates women’s dignity” and said female students and staff could reasonably regard it as creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment.
The college has received at least three formal complaints, including one from the parent of a current undergraduate. Some complainants have alleged that the situation could amount to sexual harassment affecting female students and teaching staff.
Mr Rattley became a non-stipendiary lecturer at St Hilda’s in 2023. The role involves teaching at the college without a regular salary. He has also shared social-media images of himself wearing the prosthetic breasts with low-cut tops.
Fiona McAnena, Sex Matters’ director of campaigns, said: “It is unlikely that lawmakers ever intended to normalise or protect a bearded man wearing giant fake breasts while teaching young women at university.
Oxford University has been criticised over its response to lecturer Matt Rattley, who has worn oversized prosthetic breasts while teaching students
“Yet it appears that no one at Oxford has asked whether this behaviour is appropriate, whether it could amount to harassment of female students, or whether it may simply make them feel uncomfortable.
“There is no evidence that this man identifies as a woman, but transgender-related demands have blurred the issue to the point where ordinary standards of behaviour are weakened and people in positions of authority fail to intervene because they fear upsetting the transgender lobby.
“The effect on women does not appear to have been considered.”
Oxford University said it would not comment on “individual personnel matters”. It added that students with concerns should use the established procedures operated by the university or their college.
Ms McAnena responded that if Oxford genuinely wants every member of its community to feel respected, its leaders should intervene over conduct that many female students and academics may view as insulting or unsuitable.
She cited the Equality Act’s definition of sexual harassment as “unwanted conduct of a sexual nature that has the purpose or effect of violating dignity or creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating, or offensive environment”.
She continued: “Employers are now required to take all reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace. St Hilda’s senior leadership should recognise that a male employee wearing extremely large rubber breasts to work could amount to sexual harassment.
“Employees who arrive at work dressed in an unprofessional manner should be asked to change. If they refuse to meet normal expectations of respectful workplace conduct, the issue should be escalated. Where students or colleagues have complained, the college should take action.”
Sex Matters said Oxford appeared not to have examined whether Mr Rattley’s conduct “might amount to harassment of female students”
An Oxford academic who attended training sessions with Mr Rattley told The Mail on Sunday that the experience had been distressing. “I was due to attend a series of staff training sessions at Oxford with Mr Rattley,” the academic said. “I ended up missing most of them because I found being around him so upsetting.
“At the first session, he was delivering a presentation. I was sitting in the front row, so the large prosthetic breasts seemed to be directly in front of me. I did not know where to look.”
‘The worst part was that other people were behaving as though he was dressed normally. You’re sitting there thinking what you’re seeing is hideous and disrespectful, while everyone around you is pretending it’s OK. It makes you doubt your sanity.
‘Another session I attended was during the summer heatwave. Rattley was sitting with his legs apart in a miniskirt, with his underwear visible, flanked by two admiring young women – in long dresses.
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‘Many of the female staff fawn over him. He’s pretty intimidating because, even without his high heels, he’s a very tall, imposing man.
‘It does feel like sexual harassment. You feel as though you’re being forced to participate in someone’s sexual fetish without being given a choice. It’s like being forced to watch porn. You either comply or feel you’re risking your job by objecting.
‘After the training, I sent the organisers feedback, asking how they would respond if the female trainer they hired for the event wore a “strap-on” penis.’
Another Oxford lecturer said that students and academics fear speaking out.
‘Oxford people are very reluctant to speak out in public about Mr Rattley, because although the University is pretty good about free speech in the abstract, it comes down hard on anyone who says anything about another identifiable member of the University,’ she said.
‘I privately asked a fellow at St Hilda’s what, if anything, they were doing about this. She said that, as far as she knew, no student had complained, and unless and until that happened, it was very unlikely that the College would do anything.’
A former student at the college said: ‘This case is one that really troubled me throughout my time as a student and that I continue to find disturbing and disillusioning.
‘At first, I thought it was a joke – fancy dress. But this is everyday attire. His prosthetic boobs are enormous, exaggerated and cartoonish.
‘Had I been an undergraduate in his class, I know I would have felt very conflicted and deeply uncomfortable. I’d also have felt guilt for thinking negatively of someone whose internal state I simply couldn’t know. I certainly wouldn’t have made a formal complaint.
‘I have spoken about this at length with trusted friends and family who agreed the situation is outrageous, but it never felt like an option to be open and public about it because any concerns would inevitably be received as bigotry.’
Meanwhile, one of the signatories to the letter, the distinguished clinical psychologist Dr Lucy Johnstone, said the college’s failure to act so far was concerning.
‘I haven’t met Mr Rattley so I can’t be certain what is going on here. But as a psychologist who has worked with women clients for many years, I do know that in all forms of harassment and abuse, you see denial by the perpetrator, silencing of the victims, and often collusion by institutions.
‘But there seems to be an extra twist here. If accepting an offensive behaviour is presented as progressive and open-minded, it is even harder for women to name what is really going on and speak up about it.
‘I cannot understand why the college and the university are apparently unconcerned about possible breaches of boundaries and conduct. I am particularly disappointed that a college set up with women’s needs and women’s education in mind seems to be failing so badly in offering women basic protections.’
According to a leading employment barrister, St Hilda’s has placed itself at serious risk of legal action.
‘It is difficult to see any sensible basis on which it could be argued that his conduct was not sexual harassment of all students and colleagues who come into contact with him,’ said Naomi Cunningham from Outer Temple Chambers.
‘St Hilda’s’ willingness to prioritise male sexual entitlement over staff and student wellbeing by condoning Rattley’s antics is dismaying. The fact that no one has yet complained is testament to what a toxic environment has been created for women, in particular, who stand up to this kind of misbehaviour.’
In 2023, Ms Cunningham represented Sandie Peggie, the Scottish nurse who won two employment tribunals against the NHS for allowing a transwoman (born male) to undress alongside her – and then suspending Ms Peggie when she complained.
St Hilda’s was founded in 1893 for women only, but in 2008 it started to admit male students too.
Speaking on behalf of both the university and the college, an Oxford spokesman said: ‘The University of Oxford is committed to being an inclusive and welcoming place where all members of our community feel respected, valued and able to be themselves. We expect everyone involved in teaching to maintain appropriate professional standards and to treat students with respect.
‘We do not comment on individual personnel matters. Students who have concerns about their teaching arrangements can raise them through established University or college procedures, as appropriate.’
Mr Rattley did not respond to a request for comment.