Simon Goldhill, a professor of Greek literature and culture in the Classics Department, has resigned from the University of Cambridge after an investigation upheld complaints of sexual misconduct against him.

Goldhill informed the University on 4 June of his resignation “with immediate effect”. An inquiry by external investigators found Goldhill had committed four breaches of University rules regarding sexual and professional conduct.

According to the investigation, in a meeting in the senior common room at King’s College with a female student in her twenties, the academic kissed the student, put her tongue in her ear, and touched her chest and the zip on her trousers.

Goldhill admitted kissing the student in an “over exuberant” and “no doubt slobbery” way. The investigation into the incident found that “at no time in his evidence did he provide any direct evidence that he had asked for and received consent.”

The student told investigators that she had to push the professor’s hands away and made it clear she did not want to be kissed – she added that she felt “scared and panicky”. The investigation found that Goldhill had been drinking that night, and had later sent an apologetic but “not entirely lucid” text message to the student. His drunkenness was “offered as mitigation” during the investigation, though the report notes: “he also recognised that this does not reduce the responsibility he has for his own actions.”

Following reporting in The Times about the investigation, two other women, who are both academics, made additional allegations against Goldhill – he has denied these.

One of the women alleged that in January 2024, she was groped by Goldhill at the Society for Classical Studies’ (SCS) annual meeting in Chicago. She said: “It was crowded, and I was standing with a friend when Goldhill and his group were trying to get by us – and as he did so he pressed himself against me from behind and grabbed my ass.”

The woman told her former professor about the incident, who then raised the matter with Professor Ruth Scodel, the chair of the SCS ethics committee. Goldhill claimed to “have no idea what she was talking about,” and the woman alleges that she was advised not to talk about the allegation. The second woman said she had experienced unwanted physical contact with him as a Cambridge student in the early 2000s.

King’s, where Goldhill is a fellow, has confirmed that he has been suspended but did not make clear if he has also resigned his college fellowship. The College is still considering what next steps it can take.

Gillian Tett, provost of King’s, said: “I came to King’s with a personal commitment to build a community where every member is valued, protected and treated with dignity. The recent reporting has been deeply painful — for those directly affected, and for all of us who care about this community.

“I am grateful to those who have had the courage to come forward. I want them to know that they are heard, and that action is being taken. I am personally committed to ensuring that every member of King’s is treated with dignity and respect.”

King’s declined to comment further.

Simon Goldhill was contacted for comment.