Sexual Harassment is Rife in Sciences
A new report by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine has concluded that a “systemwide change to the culture and climate in higher education” is the only thing that can stop sexual harassment in the sciences.
“Sexual Harassment of Women: Climate, Culture, and Consequences in Academic Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine” explores the influence of sexual harassment in academia on the career advancement of women in the scientific, technical, and medical workforce.
On Tuesday, Oct. 30 at 4 p.m., the study’s director Dr. Fraizer F. Benya and appointee Dr. Elizabeth Hillman present their findings at Byers Hall during an event organized by the Science Policy Group, Women in Life Sciences, The Office of Diversity and Outreach, and The Office of Science Policy and Strategy.
“Our plan is for this event to be the start of a series of conversations about how to ensure UCSF remains a warm, welcoming, and safe place for all,” state the organizers.
“[These revelations] raised urgent questions about the specific impact of this discriminatory behavior on women and the extent to which it is limiting their careers,” states the report summary.
Revelations over the last several years have shown that women in professional and academic settings involving the sciences, engineering and medicine routinely experience sexual harassment.
The report reviews how sexual harassment in academia negatively impacts the recruitment, retention, and advancement of women pursuing scientific, engineering, technical, and medical careers.
It also identifies and analyzes the policies, strategies and practices that have been the most successful in preventing and addressing sexual harassment in academia.
