I refer to the paper released by the University authored by Drs. Samara McPhedran and Jeanine Baker. I would like to offer my congratulations that the University is now being seen to support evidence based policy instead of personal opinions from the ex-convenor of the Coalition for Gun Control, Professor Simon Chapman. It is indeed pleasing to see that the University is adopting an even-handed approach on this subject. 

Sincerely,

(Signature)

From: ......................

Dear ....................,

Thank you for your email. Professor Chapman informs me that he and his colleagues have critiqued a recent paper by Drs McPhedran and Baker, who I understand are respectively a vestibular post doctoral researcher and a weed scientist and who do not have any qualifications in public health.  A pre-print of Professor Chapman's review can be found here:

I thank you for your interest in our staff.

Dean of the Faculty

Dear ..................,

Thank you for your reply. The link you provided to Professor Chapman's reanalysis of McPhedran and Baker (2008) was blocked but I have managed to acquire a copy.

I was somewhat taken aback at the condescending attitude you adopted in describing Drs. Baker and McPhedran. 

The School of Public Health at USyd employs as an adjunct associate professor, Mr Philip Alpers who has openly boasted of his lack of academic qualifications. He is a New Zealander who claimed in various magazine interviews to have attended university “without enrolling”, where he “did drugs and university by day”, and worked part time by night. He appears to have then dropped out to “move on the fringes of the hippy drug world". A Google search will verify these quotes.

I have little interest in your staff; what interests me is even-handedness. I am quite happy to put up with Professor Chapman's meanderings if the University will also publicise contrary views.

(Signature)