Story perspectives

University of Auckland Fires Professor Over Bullying, Safety Violations

2/25/2026

Summary

Story summary

The University of Auckland's investigation into Professor Jon Sperry found a pattern of concerning behavior, including safety violations and bullying.
Allegations include pressuring a student to conduct unsafe experiments that led to a fire.
Investigators upheld several claims, citing consistent witness accounts of Sperry's offensive remarks.
Following these findings, the university announced Sperry's departure and removed his profile from the university website.
Sperry declined to comment.

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Story summary

The University of Auckland's investigation into Professor Jon Sperry found a pattern of concerning behavior, including safety violations and bullying.
Allegations include pressuring a student to conduct unsafe experiments that led to a fire.
Investigators upheld several claims, citing consistent witness accounts of Sperry's offensive remarks.
Following these findings, the university announced Sperry's departure and removed his profile from the university website.
Sperry declined to comment.