CAUT has established an independent committee of inquiry to investigate possible violations of academic freedom at Dalhousie University and its affiliated Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre.
Dr. Gabrielle Horne, an assistant professor of medicine, had her research suspended last October "in a manner that has raised grave concerns," said James Turk, executive director of CAUT.
The committee will investigate the sequence of events leading to, and subsequent to, the variance of Horne's privileges at QEII to determine whether there were breaches of or threats to academic freedom.
It has also been asked to determine whether there were breaches of medical research ethics and clinical ethics, and whether changes to Horne's assignments and working conditions during this period impaired her ability to conduct her scientific research and treat her patients.
In addition, the group has been asked to determine how universities can protect the academic freedom and other rights and privileges of university faculty members who hold positions at affiliated health care centres, and to make any appropriate recommendations.
The committee will be chaired by Pat O'Neill, professor and acting head of psychology at Acadia University. O'Neill is president-elect of the Canadian Psychological Association, a former chair of CAUT's Academic Freedom and Tenure Committee, former chair of the Nova Scotia Board of Examiners in Psychology, chair of the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada Doctoral Fellowships Committee, and an adjunct professor of psychology at Dalhousie. His principle research area is ethical decision-making.
The second member of the committee is Katherine Paton, a clinical associate professor in the department of ophthalmology, faculty of medicine, at the University of British Columbia. Paton, who specializes in ocular oncology, directs UBC's ocular ultrasound diagnostic testing facility. She is president of medical staff at Vancouver General Hospital, a member of the Regional Medical Advisory Committee of the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority and serves on UBC's research ethics policy advisory board.
The third member of the committee is Sandra Taylor, director of the office of bioethics in the faculty of health sciences at Queen's University. Taylor is an associate professor in the department of medicine, with cross-appointments in family medicine, nursing and philosophy. She is also bioethicist for the Kingston General Hospital. Her major area of research is end-of-life issues.
"An independent committee of inquiry, under CAUT's new procedure in academic freedom cases, is fully autonomous," Turk explained.
"The committee determines the content of its report, and the first CAUT will learn the content of that report is when it's published and released to the public."
Turk said since the committee operates independently of CAUT, "we will be able to continue to assist Dr. Horne in dealing with university and hospital authorities while the committee does its work."