Image: Iiro Andersson / Yle

Åbo Akademi University's rector Mikko Hupa told Yle that many people at the school had been upset over the scheduled debate after it became known that organisers had invited the Swedish writer and political activist Alexander Bard to be a guest.

Bard is known for being a vehement critic of the #metoo movement on social media and elsewhere. Organisers also planned to screen the 2016 US documentary The Red Pill at the event, a film which explores the men's rights movement, and has itself been the centre of a good deal of controversy.

A number of researchers and students at the university upset about the plans sent a letter calling on the institution to rethink its plans.

"The leaders of Åbo Akademi University should stand up for everyone's equality by not permitting their premises to be used - and additionally clearly declare - that Åbo Akademi will not have anything to do with the event," the appeal reads, which was also sent to Svenska Yle, a partner in the event.

The institution's steering committee discussed the matter and on Monday decided to call off the event from being held on school property .

The event was scheduled to be held at the Arken auditorium in Turku on 19 November, featuring Svenska Yle's TV presenter Bettina Sågbom as moderator. Organisers said the event will still be held on 19 November in Turku, but did not specify its location.