Paulina Kewes, a professor of English literature at the University of Oxford, has been accused of “fanning the flames of hate” in a since-deleted tweet on the social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter). The claim has been made by Zack Polanski, Deputy Leader of the Green Party.

In the post on X, Professor Kewes (@PKewes) replied to a thread responding to a 1.05 minute video published by Zack Polanski. In the clip, Polanski refers to a “genocide in Gaza” and the need for “pro-migrant rhetoric” as reasons why ex-Labour voters should join the Greens. In response, user @JonathanSGlass tweeted “Anti-semites – we want you!” in what appears to be a satirical reply to Polanski’s message. To this, Paulina Kewes replied “The browner, the better!”, which Polanski has since described to The Oxford Blue as “deeply worrying”.

In a document published in May 2024 by Jesus College on Social Media Policy, using social media to post offensive or abusive comments could be considered a breach of the University of Oxford Code of Discipline. “Deleting a post containing inappropriate content”, according to the document, “is sometimes not enough”. It is unknown whether Kewes has faced any form of disciplinary action in regards to the post.

In June 2024, the University of Oxford published a new Code of Practice on Free Speech. In section 4.1, under ‘Conduct’, the Code states:

“The University is committed to fostering an inclusive culture which promotes equality, values diversity and maintains a working, learning and social environment in which the rights and dignity of all members of the University community are respected”. 

Kewes has been a tutorial fellow at Jesus College since 2003, having first started a DPhil there in 1993. Her most recent academic publication is titled “Towards a history of parliamentary culture in the early modern world: concept, geopolitical scope, and method”. Kewes is also a fellow of the Royal Historical Society, as well as the Senior Member for the Oxford Polish Society between 2017-2022.

Polanski’s full statement to The Oxford Blue is as follows:

“I’m really proud that [The Green Party] has stood firm for intersectional justice. As a Jewish person, I’m very aware of the stain of antisemitism on our society [and] of the need to show solidarity to Muslims facing Islamophobia. To have a professor of Oxford fanning the flames of hate and stirring the politics of division is deeply worrying and I would expect students would want to see an immediate public apology and appropriate disciplinary action”.

Paulina Kewes, Jesus College, and the University of Oxford have been approached for comment.