A professor has called out Good Morning Britain (GMB) after her full title was not shown on screen but her male counterpart’s was.
On the ticker displaying information about the guests speaking in a debate about coronavirus, professor of oncology Angus Dalgleish was labelled as such whereas professor Devi Sridhar, who is also the chair of global public health at Edinburgh University, was labelled as just Devi Sridhar.
Writing on Twitter, Sridhar criticised the mistake, saying: “Can women be professors in 2021?”
Can women be professors in 2021? 🤔 https://t.co/vQKLwHLsUr
— Prof. Devi Sridhar (@devisridhar) October 19, 2021
Sridhar and Dalgleish were invited on the show to talk about rising cases of coronavirus in the UK. Dagleish argued we need to “adapt to the conditions” with vulnerable people distancing and that it would be wrong to go into lockdown again.
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Meanwhile, Sridhar suggested the UK implement measures seen in other European countries like mandatory masks in indoor settings, vaccine passports and “pushing vaccinations” while keeping society and the economy open.
Reacting to the labelling error, people on social media were angered and called it an example of sexism. They called on fellow male academics to challenge the mistake:
**eye roll**
— The Guilty Feminist (@GuiltFemPod) October 19, 2021
Perhaps male academics need to step up their game and call this stuff out #EverydaySexism
— Dr Ingrid Wilson (@ingridmwilson) October 19, 2021
@susannareid100 @alexberesfordTV @CharleneWhite hey, folks, can you do something to address this #everydaysexism
— Ali C (@Ali_Crockford) October 19, 2021
Shocking! Simply shocking! Professor Sridhar has been a constant source of useful information throughout the last 19 months.
— Harry Kutty (@HKUT77) October 19, 2021
drives me bonkers. presenters also often call female profs by their 1st name and male by their title. be consistent for everyone !
— lucinda melcher (@LucindaMelcher) October 19, 2021
@GMB this is unacceptable @susannareid100 please challenge this
— Alison Bee 💙🇪🇺 (@AllieBee09) October 19, 2021
Presenter Susanna Reid then apologised, writing: “I am really sorry that this happened. We introduced you with your title Professor but inexplicably it wasn’t on screen.”
I am really sorry that this happened. We introduced you with your title Professor but inexplicably it wasn’t on screen. https://t.co/Ywtq5H35f2
— Susanna Reid (@susannareid100) October 19, 2021
Sridhar appeared to accept the apology and replied:
Innocent mistake- thanks always Susanna 🙏🏼 🤗
— Prof. Devi Sridhar (@devisridhar) October 19, 2021
Indy100 has contacted GMB for comment.
