Oxford University boss: It’s not my job to stop homophobic views

The head of the University of Oxford has stunned students by insisting it is not her job to stop homophobia within the university.

The shocking comments come from Professor Louise Richardson, the vice-chancellor of the University of Oxford and one of the most respected university bosses in the country.

Professor Richardson was speaking in London at the Times Higher Education World Academic Summit when she made the comments.

According to the BBC, she said: “I’ve had many conversations with students who say they don’t feel comfortable because their professor has expressed views against homosexuality.

“They don’t feel comfortable being in class with someone with those views.

“And I say, ‘I’m sorry, but my job isn’t to make you feel comfortable. Education is not about being comfortable. I’m interested in making you uncomfortable’.

“If you don’t like his views, you challenge them, engage with them, and figure how a smart person can have views like that.

“Work out how you can persuade him to change his mind. It is difficult, but it is absolutely what we have to do.”

Professor Richardson did not say if she similarly believes the onus is on black students to ‘prove’ to racist professors that they are wrong.

The comments have been met with condemnation from the university student union’s LGBTQ Campaign, which urged her to rethink her statement.