A spokesperson for James Cook University said:  

Dr Robert Carter was a Professor at James Cook University from 1981 including a period as Head of the Department - and then School - of Earth Sciences.

Following his retirement, he has held a series of adjunct appointments as professorial research fellow from 2002 until the beginning of 2013.

For most of that time it was on a yearly renewal basis and his most recent appointment as an adjunct with the School of Earth and Environmental Sciences expired at the beginning of this year.

The appointment and number of adjuncts is constantly reviewed by Schools and is considered carefully in light of the active teaching and learning and research contribution and outputs required by the relevant School and Faculty.  

Dr Carter has not been sacked, or back-balled and the university has not caved in. The simple truth is his term as an adjunct expired at the beginning of this year.  It is not something that has occurred recently but rather almost six months ago.

In most cases – and it was the case with Dr Carter – those holding adjunct appointments are not employees of the University but hold an honorary position.  They are able to use a JCU email address and some facilities such as an office.  Like anyone they have usage of the library facilities.

At Dr Carter’s request his JCU email address was continued for almost six months after his adjunct position concluded, however he continues, as an alumnus of the University, to have use of the email address bob.carter@my.jcu.edu.au.

JCU believes debate lies at the heart of scientific endeavour and its Code of Conduct states that those involved with the University have the right to make public comment in a professional, expert or individual capacity, provided that they do not represent their opinions as those of the University unless authorised to do so.

Dr Carter’s very prominent public contributions to the climate change debate is not something new.  He has been promulgating his views, which of course he was entitled to do, for many years while holding an adjunct appointment.  But what has changed over the years is the level of his contribution to the School of Earth and Environmental Sciences where he held his adjunct appointment.

Academics holding adjunct appointments are expected to contribute on a regular and ongoing basis to one or more of the following University activities:
•	Teaching;
•	Collaborative research;
•	Postgraduate supervision; and
•	Staff and student consultations.

The key question for an adjunct appointment is: “Proposed activities and Perceived Benefits to the School”.  While Dr Carter has continued his own research and gives “public talks and advice about climate change and climate change policy” – again as he is perfectly entitled to do – such outreach activities are not related to the work of the School, and do not meet the need to contribute to the School as outlined above.

The simple fact was that in the School’s view Dr Carter was no longer undertaking any of the activities within the School of Earth and Environmental Sciences that is required of an adjunct.

In regards to the appointment of an adjunct at Professorial level, a School recommends such an appointment which is then passed to the Faculty Pro Vice Chancellor and with their agreement it then goes to the Senior Deputy Vice Chancellor for their agreement and finally to the Vice Chancellor for their approval.

If the School is not making a recommendation then that process never happens.
If there are no perceived benefits for the School an adjunct appointment there would be no recommendation.