Read Time:

"I’ve been the victim of retaliation by my university and a member of the faculty who was "that guy" – the "harmless" one who "loved women”." – anonymous.



"I could only wear baggy sweatshirts and turtlenecks to lab because when I leaned over my bench, the men would try to look down my shirt." – anonymous.



"I have given up on the idea that anyone will listen to what is true and what is right. I now believe the institute is only interested in covering their ass and preventing a lawsuit.” – anonymous.



Challenges in a STEM career



Pursuing a career in any of the STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) disciplines can be a real challenge, what with the daunting years of study typically required and, particularly in academia, the serious dearth of funding.



Across all STEM disciplines there is one common theme: innovation, and without individuals pursuing a career in STEM, this innovation comes to a halt. Sadly, in the wake of the "Me Too" (or #MeToo) movement, a spotlight has been cast on an additional obstacle that deters many individuals, particularly women, from working in STEM – the astonishingly high incidence of sexual harassment.



2018 saw the publication of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) report, "Sexual Harassment of Women: Climate, Culture, and Consequences in Academic Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine", the most comprehensive study yet on the extent of sexual harassment across the STEM fields.



The research findings are, at the same time, shocking, saddening and infuriating:





Women in STEM endure the highest rate of sexual harassment of any profession outside of the military.





Nearly 50 percent of women in science, and 58 percent of women in academia, report experiencing sexual harassment, including 43 percent of female STEM graduate students.





90 percent of women who report sexual misconduct experience retaliation.





Among men, 16 percent reported sexual harassment in 2018, compared with 12 percent in the previous report.1

What does sexual harassment look like?

In legal terms, the In legal terms, the Title VII of Civil Rights Act of 1964 divides sexual harassment into two categories:

quid pro quo



Referring to a situation where a colleague asks or hints at sexual favors in exchange for employment benefits.





hostile work environment



Referring to a situation where a colleague makes repeated sexual advances, gestures, jokes, or other comments that prohibit an employee from working without feeling intimidated or threatened.

In a broader definition, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) describes sexual harassment as:



Any kind of any unwelcome or unwanted sexual advance or conduct that impedes a person's job performance or creates a hostile, intimidating, or offensive work environment.

Are the government, institutions, and scientific funding bodies doing enough to combat sexual harassment in STEM?



"Absolutely not. Institutions do not publicly release information about sexual misconduct investigations, prioritizing the reputation of the guilty person and the institution over the safety of others," notes Folk. Where the institutions are failing, individuals are taking it upon themselves to endeavor to make a difference.



, a Professor at Michigan State University, is on a one-woman mission to contest the "hide it under the rug" approach to handling sexual harassment cases. In a publicly available



In what she brands a "passing the trash" pattern, Folk notes that "harassholes are allowed to leave one university quietly and go to a new one where students and colleagues are unaware of their past misconduct." Ultimately, this presents history the opportunity to repeat itself, and is extremely dangerous.



Of further concern is that individuals found guilty of sexual misconduct are still receiving grants and awards from funding bodies and scientific societies. In February of this year, NIH gave a formal



The statement was followed by the first meet-up of the "Absolutely not. Institutions do not publicly release information about sexual misconduct investigations, prioritizing the reputation of the guilty person and the institution over the safety of others," notes Folk. Where the institutions are failing, individuals are taking it upon themselves to endeavor to make a difference. Julie Libarkin , a Professor at Michigan State University, is on a one-woman mission to contest the "hide it under the rug" approach to handling sexual harassment cases. In a publicly available database , Libarkin names and shames offenders of academic sexual misconduct and violations of relationship policies. Including only cases that have already been publicly documented, the database details the institutions at which the perpetrators reside(d), the current status of the investigation and details of outcomes in cases that have been closed.In what she brands a "passing the trash" pattern, Folk notes that "harassholes are allowed to leave one university quietly and go to a new one where students and colleagues are unaware of their past misconduct." Ultimately, this presents history the opportunity to repeat itself, and is extremely dangerous.Of further concern is that individuals found guilty of sexual misconduct are still receiving grants and awards from funding bodies and scientific societies. In February of this year, NIH gave a formal public apology for their failings in addressing sexual harassment: "NIH needs to do better in tackling the underlying culture that enables sexual harassment to take place, admit our contributions to perpetuating this culture, and elevate the seriousness with which the agency takes this issue through our actions."The statement was followed by the first meet-up of the Working Group of the Advisory Council to the Director (ACD) on Changing the Culture to End Sexual Harassment , featuring McLaughlin, where four key themes for action points were highlighted:





Demonstrating accountability and transparency





Clarifying expectations for institutions and investigators to ensure a safe workplace and inform the agency





Providing clear channels of communication to NIH





Listening to victims and survivors of sexual harassment and incorporating their perspectives into future actions



Thanks to McLaughlin's persistent efforts, the NIH revoked funding from approximately 12 researchers in 2018 for sexual misconduct. They have also promised increased action going forward, stating "We can do better. We must do better".











Speaking out



Speaking out about the experience of sexual harassment is a deeply personal choice, and one that an individual cannot be influenced in making. Common fears surrounding the sharing of stories typically include not being believed, being judged and the adverse impact it could have on your career. It's an unfortunately sad reality that the process of reporting harassment is difficult. "Your fear is real and valid. It is understandable that you are scared, as this world does not treat survivors kindly. Are you safe? Find safety first. Do you have support? Find your people. Take care of yourself first,", Swanson advises.



However, Folk comments on the fact that speaking out can be a liberating experience that promotes healing, "Most of us are socialized to smile and act like nothing is wrong, not to speak out about how we have been violated. In many cases we are explicitly told by systems we cannot speak about what happens. I believe this silence can be toxic."



Organizations such as MeTooSTEM and Below the Waterline endeavor to break this silence: "People are now pushing for meaningful change, and so I am optimistic that we could be at a tipping point in which this starts to happen," concludes Gordon.



If you wish to talk to someone about your experience, or if you require general support around this subject, a number of resources are listed here.



Author's Update:



August 9, 2019: Since the original publication of this article, McLaughlin has left her position as a faculty member at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee. Of her departure, Gordon said: “When the most visible face of the #MeTooSTEM movement is silenced, it sends a chilling message to targets of sexual harassment everywhere that the system is stacked against them."





References:



1. Sexual Harassment of Women: Climate, Culture, and Consequences in Academic Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine | The National Academies Press. URL: https://www.nap.edu/download/24994 (accessed 5.17.19).



2. Baird, C. L. “Male-Dominated Stem Disciplines: How Do We Make Them More Attractive to Women?” IEEE Instrumentation Measurement Magazine 21, no. 3 (June 2018): 4–14. https://doi.org/10.1109/MIM.2018.8360911.



