Jonathan Sperry was a professor of chemistry at Auckland University.
An investigation into sexual assault, bullying and harassment claims against a university professor left a colleague "sick to the stomach" over the alleged inadequacy of the process.
Chemistry professor Jonathan Sperry left his role at the University of Auckland after an investigation last year found he had bullied and harassed students, and practiced poor laboratory health and safety management.
Sperry was accused of a 2019 sexual assault on an international student. Abbie* told RNZ she told a senior leader about the alleged assault at the time, but it was only formally investigated when she raised it as part of a separate investigation last year. Sperry denied the allegations and would not be interviewed by RNZ.
The investigation, in response to at least six people making allegations against Sperry, was led by two senior academics appointed by the vice-chancellor, supported by staff from the human resources department. It concluded it was "more likely than not" Abbie was bullied and harassed by Sperry, but "there is not enough concrete evidence to conclude that violent and sexually harmful behaviour occurred".
