MbShea@PWP@English@UMCP

BEGINNING: Hook audience by summarizing two recent, shocking examples of sexual misconduct in academic science, and discuss the ramifications the events are having. Introduce idea that students should consider a university’s record on sexual harassment as a factor before matriculating.
MIDDLE: Using policy documents and research, define sexual harassment and indicate the inherent properties of academic science that predispose the field to harassment.
END: Explain what universities, scientists, and the government are already doing to combat sexual harassment, both the good (SAFE study, independent investigators), and the not so good (DoE report). Remind readers to not become paranoid or fearful of doing science. Recommend readers to ask about and look up their university’s record on sexual harassment, as they would other aspects like costs, program, and location.
LOGOS: 1) study determining factors that can increase risk of workplace harassment 2) economic study on detrimental impacts of harassment 3) study on physical harm of sexual harassment in academic science 4) Study of field experiences unique to scientists
PATHOS: Summaries of two cases of flagrant, long-term harassment
ETHOS: 1) Peer-reviewed literature articles by both academic scientists in STEM and social-science 2) The author is a woman in science (albeit early in her career) 3) UMD policy document comes from a large, research-based institution
STRUCTURE: Cautionary guide (lemon shape):
I) What is the problem of sexual harassment? (anecdotes)
II) Why is sexual harassment a problem in science? (research papers)
III) What is being done about sexual harassment in science? (policy docs)
IV) What should you do as you enter the science world? (recommendations)
GOAL: To convince the prospective science graduate student audience that considering a university’s record on sexual harassment and being aware of harassment’s prevalence in science is not paranoia, but rather preparedness.

A, as you have described this document, very thorough! Yet, I do not think this will fit a 7-10 page document. Start writing now and see if you can keep this under control. If not, we can find reasonable places to trim or revise the scope to a better size.

Key early on to define sexual harassment and define sexual assault. Related, but different. I think for higher ed, the Title 9 documents are definitive. Be sure to check this.