The sacking of a scientist at the University of Copenhagen threatens freedom of research

I was highly impressed by Professor Thybo's commitment to students and colleagues during my visit to the University of Copenhagen in 2013 to attend the Elite Course on Tectonics. He is a highly recognized scientist in our scientific community and his role in our professional associations is appreciated. The reasons for his dismissal are not relevant in the perspective of his distinguished carreer.

Sorry for using my private e-mail address. I hope I do not get fired.

I endorse the letter, sent to the Rector Ralf Hemmingsen of the Unversity of Copenhagen, requesting the reinstatement of Professor Thybo.

The reasons given make no sense. The rector should be ashamed of himself that he even thinks that the reason given justify dismissal of Thybo

This seems incredible and the reasons given are a worry to all in the academic community. Thybo is a top scientist and an international geoscience leader.

University of Manchester

I have had the pleasure of visiting Hans Thybo's group and teaching a course there. In addition to being an outstanding scientist, Hans has an excellent relationship with the students and junior staff. He is a huge asset to the university and Danish geoscience, and so should not be dismissed unless there is some much more serious issue than alleged so far.

1. Nobody knows exactly what Prof. Thybo told his colleague, but I do not see how suggesting to "respond honestly" or "vote one's conscience" could go against academic freedom. 2. Using a personal e-mail can be an adequate backup in case of vagaries in University e-mail system. A countless number of my colleagues do it routinely. Is Copenhagen University unhappy that it cannot go and read Prof. Thybo's e-mails?

This is a great shock! Hans is a scientist of the highest calibre. The reasons given for his dismissal seem flimsy and totally unjustified. Is this ALL he's alleged to have done? If so, this surely is contestable?

The reasons for dismissal are grossly insufficient grounds by any recognized standards.

The University of Copenhagen really needs better reasons than those to justify the loss of such a prominent scientist and science manager as Prof. H. Thybo.

I know Hans from scientific committee work. I hope that the university will re-consider the dismissal.

Absolutely shocking.

I've worked at IGN/KU and experienced first hand the awful management in the department. This type of behaviour in sacking a staff member doesn't surprise me in the slightest.

I do not think these are enough resons to fire professor Thybo who I know him as one of the most active geoscientists in EU. The Copenhagen University should highlight if there are any other reasons involved, otherwise this dismissal is unacceptable (from my point of view).

Professor Hans Thybo is a prominent scientist. We do use all convenient means of communication in scientific work. Firing prof. Thybo on the pretext of using private e-mail address for work is from the world of politics. We do not belong there. I join my colleagues in asking the administration of the University of Copenhagen to review their decision or reveal real reasons for their action. Dmitry A. Storchak International Seismological Centre (ISC) United Kingdom

He is well recognised scientist world wide and this is due his high quality research work. We urge to give back his professorship with honour

If there are other issues involved then the University needs to be upfront about them. If this tissue of reasons is considered grounds for dismissal the whole of Europe's Universities would be likely to be emptied of academics Professor Emeritus Peter Styles Past President; The Geological Society of London Past President: The British Association for the Advancement of Science (Geology) BA(Oxon), PhD (Newcastle-upon-Tyne)., FGS CGeol., FRAS CSci., FIMMM, FRSA. Editor-in-Chief :GEOSCIENTIST http://www.keele.ac.uk/geophysics/people/peterstyles/ Professor of Applied and Environmental Geophysics Applied & Environmental Geophysics Research Group School of Physical and Geographical Sciences Keele University Staffs ST5 5 BG U

The reasons for the dismissal are simply ridiculous. Prof. Thybo should receive an immediate apology and immediately move to a safer environment. This news puts incommensurable discredit on the institution.

I only found out about this from the Nature article that appeared this week - as everyone else - I am shocked and alarmed by this dismissal of a prominent member of our scientific community. The sanction appears incommensurate with the committed "errors"