Science communicator Dr Siouxsie Wiles is trying to prove in court that the University of Auckland failed to protect her from threats following her commentary on COVID-19.
At the Employment Court in Auckland, Dr Wiles accused her employer of trying to silence her, rather than provide adequate security and protection from online threats made against her.
"On multiple occasions, I have been advised not to exercise my academic freedom, or to at least constrain it to prevent harassment," Dr Wiles said.
"Despite this advice to me, the university itself is active on social media, including on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter and regularly posts about me with no consultation with me," she added.
Dr Wiles filed claims against the university in 2021 with the Employment Relations Authority, alongside fellow COVID-19 commentator Dr Shaun Hendy, who was also employed by Auckland University at the time but has since left.
Court documents show the pair claimed they were expected to provide public commentary as part of their employment, and that it had become "particularly relevant" during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Both made regular appearances in the media during the height of the pandemic, giving their expert opinions on matters such as mask use, social distancing and vaccines.
It earned Dr Wiles the title of New Zealander of the Year in 2021.
But the microbiologist's public profile also made her a target for "deeply personalised threats and harassment" from people who did not agree with her opinions and advice.
"Associate Professor Wiles has been the subject of doxing with an associated threat to physically confront her at her home," the court documents say.
The pair made personal grievance claims against the university for failing to "take proactive action to protect them from this abuse and harassment and that it has failed to take all reasonable steps to provide a safe working environment".
The pair also took issue with a letter that urged them to keep their public commentary to a minimum and suggested they take paid leave "to minimise any social media comments at present".
The advice was apparently given to them after the university received recommendations from its legal advisers, the court documents show.
Dr Hendy has settled with the university outside of court and is no longer employed by the university.
But Dr Wiles is continuing with her claim, and during the hearing on Tuesday, she said she felt the university was trying to silence her rather than provide adequate protection.
An external review of security systems and safety processes ordered by the university identified "opportunities for improvement".
The university, in its defence, claims Dr Wiles was not expected or required to provide public commentary on COVID-19 and that asking her to limit it was in the interest of protecting her.
The university denies it has breached its statutory obligations and argues that academic freedom is not "unfettered" and must balance against other responsibilities like health and safety.
The trial is expected to take three weeks.
