Professor allegedly fat-shames Ph.D. applicants

A New York University visiting professor, Geoffrey Miller, seems to believe overweight students thinking about a Ph.D. need not apply.

Miller, who specializes in evolutionary psychology and is teaching at NYU’s Stern School of Business, tweeted on Sunday: “Dear obese PhD applicants: if you didn't have the willpower to stop eating carbs, you won't have the willpower to do a dissertation #truth.”

Miller, a tenured professor at the University of New Mexico, quickly deleted his tweet—but not before others had the chance to take screenshots of the message and circulate those images on various social media platforms.

Accused of fat-shaming, Miller has since backtracked on his statement. He reportedly claims the tweet was “part of a research project.”

According to the New York Observer, Miller won’t lose his post at NYU. But his future at UNM is less certain.

“We are deeply concerned about the impact of the statement, which in no way reflects the policies or admission standards of UNM,” UNM said in an official statement issued on Monday. “We are investigating every aspect of this incident and will take appropriate action.”