I spoke with a famous dean and he said that they don't look at gender or demographics at all and right-wing people like to lie on Hacker News.
Basically if there's a post about academia right-wing groups will try to stir up racial tensions anyway they can. But I'm a 100% serious a "famous dean" told me that.
I had applied to a school for a faculty position when I was a postdoctoral fellow. The application was not successful. The following summer I met the dean at a conference, asked about the position and complained.
Which is less awkward: telling someone they aren't as qualified as they think they are, or making up a story about some policy and saying your hands were tied by factors beyond either of your control?
You're saying this guy is a high ranking member of an organization completely embroiled in internal politics. Would such a politically savvy person have any qualms about lying to someone at a party?
Basically if there's a post about academia right-wing groups will try to stir up racial tensions anyway they can. But I'm a 100% serious a "famous dean" told me that.