Letter of Complaint to Massey Concerning Dr Carol Hamilton's Genocidal Comments

Sunday 27 April 2025

Professor Jan Thomas

Vice-Chancellor, Massey University

Via email

(cc: Dr Gerald Hamilton, Secretary Ethics Committee 3, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research – Professor Jo Cuillane)

 Tēnā koe Professor Thomas,

Re: Formal complaint regarding Dr Carol Hamilton's inappropriate public statements

I am writing to express my grave concern regarding public statements made by Dr Carol Hamilton, who I understand serves on the Human Ethics Committee 3 at Massey University. On April 27, 2025, Dr Hamilton (@kiriceilidh) posted highly inappropriate and concerning comments on the social media platform X.com in response to a discussion about transgender bathroom access. The post[1] is below:

For context, Dr Hamilton was responding to a post describing a transgender woman's deeply distressing experience at a shopping centre. The original poster detailed being denied access to appropriate toilet facilities, being confronted by hostile individuals, and ultimately being forced to urinate outside due to a lack of alternatives. This humiliating experience caused significant distress. Instead of showing empathy for this situation, Dr. Hamilton responded with mockery. It should also be noted that Dr Hamilton’s X feed in general reveals a deep-seated hatred toward transgender, non-binary, and intersex individuals.

In her post, Dr Hamilton stated:

"Geez. If it was a choice between using the gents & being publically executed, they'd be falling over themselves to get to the urinals."

I wish to highlight several severe issues with Dr Hamilton's public statement:

1.     Dehumanising rhetoric: Dr Hamilton's statement trivialises violence against transgender people by making an inappropriate comparison to execution, which demonstrates a disturbing lack of empathy and respect for human dignity.

2.     Violation of professional ethics: As a member of a human ethics committee, Dr Hamilton is entrusted with safeguarding the welfare and rights of all individuals. Her public statement stands in direct contradiction to this responsibility.

3.     Potential harm to vulnerable individuals: Such comments from someone in a position of authority at your institution can contribute to a hostile environment for transgender students and staff, and potentially legitimise discrimination against them.

4.     Inconsistency with university values: I assert these statements are incompatible with Massey University's commitment to diversity, inclusion, and creating a safe learning environment for all students and staff.

5.     Unfit for evaluating research on transgender subjects: Dr Hamilton's post demonstrates a callous disregard for transgender people. There is no way she is fit to sit in judgment on research involving transgender subjects or the transgender community, given this evident bias.

While some might argue that Dr. Hamilton has the right to express personal opinions, I must emphasise that serving on an ethics committee is not a universal right but a position of responsibility that requires demonstrated ethical judgement and impartiality. Her role necessitates a standard of conduct that respects the dignity of all groups who may be subjects of research. This is not a matter of academic freedom or free speech, but of suitability for a specific role that requires fairness and respect toward vulnerable populations.

It is my informed understanding that there have been previous complaints about Dr Hamilton's conduct on the committee and her animus towards transgender people and research that seeks to explore issues concerning transgender individuals. Additionally, Dr Hamilton has a documented history of ethical concerns in her academic work, having been asked to retract a paper by an ethics committee in 2016 regarding a controversial treatment (as reported by Retraction Watch). My complaint should therefore be considered in the context of these previous incidents, establishing what appears to be a pattern of concerning ethical judgement.

Given the serious nature of these comments and Dr Hamilton's role on an ethics committee, I respectfully request that:

1.     This matter be investigated thoroughly by the appropriate university authorities

2.     Dr Hamilton be stood down from the committee whilst this matter is investigated

3.     Dr Hamilton's suitability to serve on any ethics committee be reassessed

4.     The university take appropriate action to ensure its ethics committees comprise members who demonstrate respect for the dignity of all individuals

I believe that anyone who publicly expresses such attitudes toward a marginalised group cannot be trusted to make fair and ethical judgments regarding research involving human subjects, especially those from vulnerable populations. The reputation of the research conducted at Massey University is at stake in this matter.

I would appreciate being informed of the steps taken in response to this complaint. I am available at the contact details above should you require further information.

Thank you for your attention to this serious matter.

Ngā mihi nui,

Paul Thistoll

[1] https://x.com/kiriceilidh/status/1916264204077830513