A bearded Oxford academic has faced criticism for appearing in public wearing oversized prosthetic breasts, despite complaints from colleagues and prominent former students.
Matt Rattley, a biochemistry lecturer at St Hilda’s College, has sparked controversy online over his striking appearance, which includes women’s clothing, makeup and exaggerated prosthetic breasts.
Three former students, including a leading clinical psychologist, have now written to St Hilda’s to raise concerns that Mr Rattley’s conduct “violates women’s dignity” and could reasonably be viewed as creating “an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating and offensive environment”.
The college has received at least three formal complaints, one from the parent of a current undergraduate. Some complainants allege that the situation amounts to sexual harassment of female students and staff.
Mr Rattley, who became a non-stipendiary lecturer at St Hilda’s in 2023, also has supporters within the college.
However, an Oxford academic who attended training sessions with Mr Rattley told The Mail on Sunday, speaking anonymously: “I was scheduled to attend a series of staff training sessions at Oxford with Mr Rattley. I missed most of them because I found his presence so distressing.
“At the first session, he gave a presentation. I was sitting in the front row, and those large prosthetic breasts seemed to be directly in front of me. I had no idea where to look.
“What I found most difficult was that everyone else behaved as if he were dressed normally. You are sitting there thinking that what you are seeing is shocking and disrespectful, while everyone around you acts as though it is perfectly acceptable. It makes you question your own judgment.
Matt Rattley, a biochemistry lecturer at St Hilda’s College, has attracted online controversy over his appearance, which includes women’s clothing and makeup
“Another session took place during the summer heatwave. Rattley was sitting with his legs apart in a miniskirt, with his underwear visible, alongside two admiring young women who were wearing long dresses.
“Several female members of staff seem to fawn over him. He is intimidating because, even without the high heels, he is a very tall and imposing man.
“It does feel like sexual harassment. You feel as though you are being made to take part in someone else’s sexual fetish without consenting. It is like being forced to watch pornography. You either go along with it or feel that objecting could put your job at risk.
“After the training, I sent feedback to the organisers and asked how they would respond if the female trainer they had hired had worn a ‘strap-on’ penis.”
Mr Rattley has repeatedly shared social media photographs of himself wearing low-cut tops that reveal extensive fake cleavage, along with lipstick and nail varnish.
Another Oxford lecturer told the MoS that students and academics are afraid to speak publicly about the issue.
She said: “People at Oxford are extremely hesitant to speak publicly about Mr Rattley. Although the university is broadly supportive of free speech in principle, it takes a firm position against anyone who makes comments about an identifiable member of the university.
“I privately asked a fellow at St Hilda’s whether anything was being done. She said that, to her knowledge, no student had complained and that, unless one did, the college was unlikely to take action.”
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St Hilda’s College at Oxford University was established as a women-only institution before becoming fully coeducational in 2008
A former St Hilda’s student said: “This was an issue that deeply troubled me throughout my time at the college, and I still find it disturbing and disillusioning.
“At first, I assumed it was a joke or some kind of fancy dress. But this is his everyday clothing. The prosthetic breasts are enormous, exaggerated and cartoon-like.”
‘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.’
Speaking yesterday, 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,’ she continued. ‘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.’
And according to a leading employment barrister, St Hilda’s has placed itself at serious risk of legal action.
Naomi Cunningham, from Outer Temple Chambers, said: ‘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.
‘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 misbehavior.’
In 2023, Ms Cunningham represented Sandie Peggie, the Scottish nurse who won two employment tribunals against the NHS for allowing a trans woman (born male) to undress alongside her – and then suspending Ms Peggie when she complained.
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.