One of Britain’s leading cancer scientists has had £3.5m in grant money revoked after allegations of bullying by 45 current and former colleagues.



Prof Nazneen Rahman, who resigned from her post at the Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) in London last month, is the first scientist to be sanctioned under anti-bullying rules introduced by the Wellcome Trust this year. In a letter to the ICR, her former colleagues accused her of “serious recurrent bullying and harassment” and creating an “intimidating and humiliating” working environment.

Rahman, who was awarded a CBE in 2016 for services to medical sciences, announced she would step down as head of genetics and epidemiology at the ICR after an independent investigation into the claims. In response, the Wellcome Trust confirmed it would terminate or transfer what remained of £7.5m of funding that had been awarded to Rahman.

The case comes as concerns mount about the levels of bullying and harassment in academia after a recent spate of investigations at laboratories the US and Germany.



Former colleagues who had raised complaints about Rahman said they welcomed the move by the Wellcome Trust but added that more clarity was need in cases, such as this one, in which those accused of bullying resign before disciplinary action has been taken.

One of the complainants, who wishes to remain anonymous, said: “The practice of people resigning ahead of definitive disciplinary judgment leaves significant ambiguity and opportunity for them to return to funding in a short space of time.”

The latest investigation was prompted after a letter signed by 45 current and former colleagues claimed Rahman’s behaviour had caused psychological harm and career damage, with 22 of the individuals claiming to have been bullied directly. The signatories, who have chosen to remain anonymous, said the ICR had known about the “exceptionally high” number of allegations against Rahman, dating back 12 years, but had failed to act.

However, Rahman also has supporters, who describe a different picture of the workplace dynamics. “She provides a motivating, creative and exciting working environment where we are both challenged and supported to develop our strengths and skills,” said Ann Strydom, a scientific programme manager.

Strydom and others said Rahman had nurtured the skills of her staff, encouraged flexible working and been supportive at times of personal stress.

In response to the Wellcome Trust sanction, Rahman said: “My team and I will complete our Wellcome-funded research prior to my leaving ICR in October. We are working with ICR and Wellcome to ensure science and patients can benefit from our work.”

The Wellcome Trust said the ICR had not shared the full details of the investigation, but that a summary of the findings had given “considerable cause for concern”. The investigation recommended that a disciplinary hearing was warranted, but owing to Rahman’s resignation this did not take place.

“As we have been given information that raises serious concerns we have decided that her Wellcome grants will be terminated or transferred to other investigators,” the Wellcome Trust said.

It added that Rahman would also be barred for two years from applying for funding from Wellcome and from sitting on any of its advisory committees or boards.

“Wellcome takes bullying and harassment very seriously,” the charity said. “Unacceptable behaviour causes significant harm, stops people achieving their full potential and stifles good research.”

Speaking anonymously, an academic who complained about Rahman said the sanctions were “a weak position. In reality two years is no time at all.”

A spokeswoman for the ICR said: “We believe an open and supportive working environment is essential for our work to defeat cancer. We welcome the efforts being made by the Wellcome Trust and others to improve the culture of the scientific community.”



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