FINAL PROJECT: Abstract and Reader's Reponse > Sexual Harassment in Academic Science: a Cautionary Guide
A, you may not be able to "find" out why. You can, however, list working theories on why. Then, you can move on to your other goals, so that students are safer, by being forewarned and that the whisper network can step fully into the light of #metoo.
I asked around, and find that harassment is also defined at state levels, too.
You could give the MD law language to show difference but then teach your readers that they need to know Title 9 basics AND the laws in each state their campuses are located in. https://www.mcasa.org/law-public-policy/maryland-law-regulations
Will be hard to keep narrow. Come and see me during the next ten days to touch base.
I asked around, and find that harassment is also defined at state levels, too.
You could give the MD law language to show difference but then teach your readers that they need to know Title 9 basics AND the laws in each state their campuses are located in. https://www.mcasa.org/law-public-policy/maryland-law-regulations
Will be hard to keep narrow. Come and see me during the next ten days to touch base.
December 10, 2017 |
Marybeth Shea
Marybeth Shea
Until recently, sexual harassment was an open secret in academic science We are uncovering more about scientists in positions of power using their status to behave inappropriately towards students and faculty at all levels. Such a culture of misconduct creates a hostile environment for learning and work. Several high-profile cases of harassment by senior faculty at prominent schools like University of Rochester and Boston University are causing more people to take harassment in science seriously. As a prospective graduate student, I want to craft a document - both for myself and others - examining why sexual harassment is prevalent in academic science. In addition, I aim to convince readers to consider a university’s record on sexual harassment before applying, much as they would other factors like cost or program options. The fear of sexual harassment should not keep anyone from pursuing science as a career, and this document does not mean to incite paranoia. Rather, using policy and peer-reviewed research, this document accomplishes three aims: I) defining sexual harassment in an academic setting, II) understanding what properties inherent to academic science may increase the risk of harassment, and III) persuading prospective students to consider a school’s sexual harassment policies and history before applying or matriculating.
(Word count: 205)
Reader’s Response:
Reader’s profile: This reader is a prospective graduate student who is skeptical about researching/asking about a school’s history of sexual harassment because they do not want to appear paranoid.
I have been hearing about a ton of sexual harassment cases lately, and a lot of men in power are getting taken down. As for me, I want to stay focused on my science. If I start making decisions about where I should go to graduate school based on the conduct of creepy harassers, then haven’t the harassers won? I suppose it might be a good idea to be prepared, but I am not sure where the line falls between prepared and paranoid. That being said, I could learn about my future university’s policies and reasons why harassment in science happens, so I could have that information in the back of my mind. Maybe storing away the knowledge would allow me to focus on my science, knowing I have rights that my institution is willing to protect. I mostly don’t want to appear as a paranoid, angry, feminist-type at my interviews, but I will give this document a shot.