A professor sacked from the Royal Academy of Music after she called violinists “gypos” in a memo to pupils has insisted she was simply trying to expose discrimination in the music industry.
Dr Francesca Carpos-Young, 59, was fired less than 24 hours after finding out students had shared her lecture notes, sent to 800 pupils on social media in November 2017.
The renowned bassoonist, who has played in some of the best orchestras in the world, accused the academy — which boasts Sir Elton John among its alumni — of making her a “scapegoat” and “concealing” discrimination within its ranks, an employment tribunal has heard.
The Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts said her emailed notes were referencing findings from her PhD on discrimination in their industry.
The notes read: “Everyone knows that having a good reputation is important. But how do you get one? At the very least, you need to consider the following tips: ‘Be discreet; what’s on tour stays on tour. Become familiar with shared understanding of anecdote, caricature, stereotype and jokes. Google them and look on YouTube, if this is not your culture. For example, you may hear terms like this: Pond life = (string players). Gypos (short for gypsies) = violinists specifically’.”
She told the tribunal: “These were my lectures notes about my PhD findings. It was not a formal handout.
“The notes contained some of the discriminatory language my PhD research showed professional musicians had used.
“The terms illuminated ways some individuals in the industry … engage in conduct which would in my view be unlawful because it is discriminatory.”
She added: “I also do not accept that a male staff member in my position would have been treated in such a high-handed manner and been made a scapegoat in this way.”
Dr Carpos-Young said she circulated her notes to the student body at the request of deputy principal Tim Jones, but was told three students had complained and one student, Dan Shao, had posted her notes on social media.
The tribunal heard 58 students then signed an open letter saying: “Clearly Fran’s letter is not an exception to an otherwise idyllic and welcoming environment but rather a symptom of a much broader and deeper failure to live up to institutional aims regarding equality and diversity.”
Dr Carpos-Young was fired for gross misconduct after allegedly bringing the academy into disrepute.
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She is claiming unfair dismissal for making public interest disclosures, sexual discrimination, victimisation, breach of contract, and a breach of her right to be accompanied by a union representative at a disciplinary hearing.
Professor Jones said he only decided to sack her mid-way through their meeting on November 3 after she became “confrontational”.
The tribunal continues.
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