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Language is tricky. This helps us use words in a respectful way.

Focusing on intent allows people to avoid accountability for real harm caused, whether intentional or not.

System-wide changes to the culture and climate in higher education are needed to prevent and effectively respond to sexual harassment. There is no evidence that current policies, procedures, and approaches—which often focus on symbolic compliance with the law and on avoiding liability—have resulted in a significant reduction in sexual harassment.

A new report outlines how academic institutions create a culture in which sexual harassment can run rampant. Here are some questions, drawn from the report, to help gauge your institution’s culture.

This is the fifth post in a series suggesting changes to the systems of scientific training that may reduce the frequency or severity of harassment and discrimination against scientific trainees. Part 1 is here. Part 2 is here. 

There are two different angles at play in the discussion about colonialism and science. First is what constitutes scientific epistemology and what its origins are. As a physicist, I was taught that physics began with the Greeks and later Europeans inherited their ideas and expanded on them.

Responding to hostile behaviors requires a community effort and strong leadership to send a clear message that these types of behaviors are not acceptable. Here you will find strategies to address incidents when they happen through bystander intervention as well as resources for changing the culture so that these behaviors do not continue to be tolerated. A broad response is necessary for long-lasting change and this should start with supporting the people being targeted by harassers.

Miller offers the advice of experts not to confront the harasser in the moment (I assume she means in circumstances where the victim is not in peril), and instead suggests a variety of tactics:

• Distract the harasser: The bystander can address the victim directly and pull them out of the situation.

• Confront the harasser: Reflect on what you saw and ask them about it.

• Check in with the victim: Ask how they are and make sure they know they did nothing wrong.

This resource is specific to the experiences of LGBTQ people living in the United States who identify as African American.