The Rindos affair was an
academic scandal that occurred at the
University of Western Australia.
Background
In early 1989,
David Rindos David Rindos (1947 – 9 December 1996) was an archaeologist. He graduated with a PhD from Cornell University and subsequently held a number of short-term positions in the US. His book on the origins of agriculture, published in 1984, was hailed as ...
, an
archaeologist
Archaeology or archeology is the scientific study of human activity through the recovery and analysis of material culture. The archaeological record consists of artifacts, architecture, biofacts or ecofacts, sites, and cultural landscap ...
by qualification, was hired to fill a vacancy in the university's Department of Archaeology. Rindos commenced work on 13 June 1989. In 1990, the head of department, Dr
Sandra Bowdler
Sandra Bowdler (born 1946) is an Australian archaeologist, emeritus professor of archaeology and former head of the Archaeology Department at the University of Western Australia. Education
Bowdler completed an Honours degree in archaeology at th ...
, took study leave. Bowdler was the Foundation Professor of Archaeology. Rindos became acting head of department in her place.
Rindos later said that during his time as acting head, he was made aware of problems in the department, including
favouritism and affairs between students and staff members. In December 1990, Rindos wrote a
memo to Professor Charles Oxnard, then-head of Agriculture and Science, detailing the allegations of
academic misconduct against Bowdler.
In June 1992, Rindos' three-year probation period was complete and a decision on
tenure was due. In May, the Vice-Chancellor,
Fay Gale
Fay Gale AO (13 June 1932 – 3 May 2008) was an Australian cultural geographer and an emeritus professor. She was an advocate of equal opportunity for women and for Aboriginal people.
Background
She was born Gwendoline Fay Gilding in Balakl ...
, had extended the review period by six months after having received a memo from Dr Michael Partis, the new head of department. A Tenure Review Committee was formed as a result. After an hour of deliberation, the committee unanimously decided to deny tenure.
In July 1992 the Department of Archaeology was dissolved.
On 10 June 1993, Rindos was dismissed, effective 13 June.
In early 1996, the university's Senate announced an inquiry into the denial of tenure to Rindos. The terms of reference of the inquiry did not extend to investigating the allegations of misconduct against Bowdler.
The
Western Australian Legislative Council investigated the denial of tenure to Rindos. Their report
was delivered in December 1997.
David Rindos died in 1996.
See also
*
Rindos v Hardwick
Rindos v. Hardwick was a case of Internet defamation heard in 1994 in which Western Australian lawyers representing a visiting American academic sought to create a legal precedent by deeming an email sent by Gil Hardwick to have alleged paedoph ...
References
External links
Times Higher Education Supplement: Sacked lecturer wins inquirythe "Rindos / UWA Case" Site* [http://www.uow.edu.au/~/bmartin/dissent/documents/sau/sau08.html Philippa Martyr: "Unworthy of strong women" (Chapter 8 of ''The Subversion of Australian Universities'', edited by John Biggs and Richard Davis, Wollongong: Fund for Intellectual Dissent, 2002, pp. 118–126.)]
Further reading
* {{Google books, jdYTquEmaScC, Deadly disclosures: whistleblowing and the ethical meltdown of Australia, page=105
Academic scandals
University of Western Australia
1980s in Perth, Western Australia
1990s in Perth, Western Australia