Cardiff’s VC says she didn’t say ‘poverty is genetic’, calling the accusation ‘fake news’

Cardiff University’s vice-chancellor denied she implied “poverty is genetic”, slamming the accusation as “fake news”.

This follows the resurfacing of a 2018 academic journal, on an interview with Warwick University, where Professor Wendy Larner stated: “If things like poverty have a genetic explanation, the taken-for-granted approaches and conceptual frameworks we use as social scientists to explain poverty will need to be reworked.”

Nation.Cymru wrote an article about the interview, quoting a Substack post in which Professor Larner comes under fire for her opinions on epigenetics (study of how cells control gene activity).

The author Diffwys Criafol, whom Nation.Cymru referenced, provided a thorough critique of the Professor Larner’s leadership, in which they accused her of abandoning progressive values and instead embracing corporate-driven education.

The post then goes on to claim that Cardiff University is responsible for the political repression of its students, referring to a Cardiff student being suspended for their Pro-Palestine activism.

Cardiff’s UCU has also spoken out about Professor Larner’s previous comments saying: “It is shocking that someone in Prof Larner’s position should say such seemingly offensive and insensitive things, but sadly our members are now used to being shocked by her conduct.”

The spokesperson added: “In the context of her post-cuts vision for a more elitist university, cutting schools like nursing and favouring what Prof Larner has called ‘higher quality’ students, the attitude towards poverty indicated here is disturbing.”

The VC sent an email sent all staff claiming she was  “extremely disappointed” in the endorsement from the university trade unions for their condoning of the accusations against her saying “its subsequent endorsement by UCU must be a one-off. We are better than this.”

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Professor Larner added: “Anyone interested in academic rigour will be able to see in the journal I am discussing epigenetics (not genetics), arguing that should a proven link be made between epigenetics and poverty, we would need to rethink the existing related theory. I expect many colleagues, albeit perhaps quietly in many instances in these circumstances, would agree that once confronted with new facts, old theories need to be looked at anew.”

She then goes on to claim that the accusations against her constitutes a “false report” and that it is “fake news if you will.”

The VC has sparked backlash over the past few months as Cardiff University could potentially face a £65 million financial shortfall. It is also currently looking to axe 400 jobs and a number of courses at the institution.

The university plans on cutting the following courses:  Nursing, modern foreign languages, religion and theology, as well as music, and ancient history.

However, since the announcement of the plan, Professor Larner has faced a vote of no confidence in her leadership.

Consultations on the plans will run for three months, with approval expected to be considered in June by the University Council.

Nation.Cymru was contacted for comment but has not yet responded.