Claimant v The Master (or Keeper) and Fellows of Peterhouse in the University of Cambridge
Outcome
Individual claims
This preliminary hearing determined that the claimant's belief in revisionist political history and lack of belief in traditional political history constitute philosophical beliefs protected by the Equality Act 2010. The substantive discrimination claims have not yet been determined on their merits.
Facts
Dr Blaxill, a historian, brought discrimination claims against Peterhouse College Cambridge. This preliminary hearing determined whether his beliefs about historiography constituted protected philosophical beliefs. The tribunal examined his belief in revisionist political history (emphasising masses as drivers of change, bottom-up history, and feminist perspectives) and his lack of belief in traditional political history (emphasising elite control and top-down approaches).
Decision
The tribunal ruled that Dr Blaxill's belief in revisionist political history and his lack of belief in traditional political history both constitute philosophical beliefs protected by the Equality Act 2010. The judgment sets out in detail the specific components of these beliefs which encompass low political history, revisionist history, poststructuralist discourse analysis, and feminism.
Practical note
Academic historiographical approaches and methodologies can constitute protected philosophical beliefs under the Equality Act 2010, extending protection to scholarly perspectives about how history should be researched and taught.
Legal authorities cited
Statutes
Case details
- Case number
- 3308240/2023
- Decision date
- 12 June 2025
- Hearing type
- preliminary
- Hearing days
- 2
- Classification
- contested
Respondent
- Sector
- education
- Represented
- Yes
- Rep type
- barrister
Claimant representation
- Represented
- Yes
- Rep type
- barrister