Oxford Don made ‘Unwanted Advances’ towards Female Academic

An Oxford don quit after a report found that he had made unwanted advances towards a vulnerable female colleague.

The female academic had approached Saïd Business School dean Professor Soumitra Dutta, seeking support after accusing another male colleague of raping her.

But sources told The Times that the married professor allegedly asked her in a meeting if anything could happen between them as “I feel very attracted to you”.

He denied ever making the comment, but the allegation was one of three harassment complaints that were upheld. A fourth complaint was partially upheld following a five-month internal university inquiry.

Professor Dutta described his time at Oxford as the “greatest privilege of my life”.

He took medical leave in May before informing the university in August that he was leaving.

His departure, after three years as dean, was officially announced on September 10.

An email to staff confirmed he had left and thanked him for his “contributions to the school” over the last three years.

He is now living in the United States with his wife and serves as President at the Portulans Institute, according to his LinkedIn profile.

In a response issued through his lawyer, Professor Dutta said the allegations arose “in the context of an ongoing job dispute at the university, but said it would not be appropriate to comment further”.

He added: “I take all allegations of harassment extremely seriously and throughout the investigation process, I consistently affirmed my commitment to the expectations of the University in its harassment policy.”

Professor Dutta also said: “I deeply regret causing any distress or offence by anything I said, and it was never my intention to be anything other than supportive of my former colleague.”

The female academic had asked the dean whether the male colleague she accused of rape could have his access to the business school restricted.

Police interviewed the man but no charges were brought. The woman is now seeking a judicial review.

A university spokesperson said: “Professor Soumitra Dutta has stepped down as dean of Said Business School and has now left the university.

“Professor Mette Morsing, director of the Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment, took up the role of interim dean on September 22.”

Professor Dutta previously joined then-President Barack Obama’s business school roundtable at the White House in 2014 to discuss workforce policy.