The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine recently published a report on the impact of sexual harassment on the career advancement of women in academic scientific, technical, and medical fields. The report identifies key findings on the causes and impacts of sexual harassment in academia and makes recommendations to address and prevent it.

This event will include a summary of the report, discussion from the report’s co-authors, commentary from disciplinary experts, and Q&A with the audience. A reception will follow.

Welcome by Alec D. Gallimore, Robert J. Vlasic Dean of Engineering, Richard F. and Eleanor A. Towner Professor of Engineering, U-M

PANELISTS :
- Gilda A. Barabino,* Daniel and Frances Berg Professor and Dean, Grove School of Engineering, City College of New York
- Alec D. Gallimore, Robert J. Vlasic Dean of Engineering, Richard F. and Eleanor A. Towner Professor of Engineering, U-M
- Allison Steiner, Professor of Atmospheric Sciences, Department of Climate and Space Sciences and Engineering, and the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, U-M

REPORT OVERVIEW & PANEL MODERATION:
- Lilia Cortina,* Associate Director of ADVANCE for the College of LSA; Professor of Psychology, Women’s Studies, and Management and Organizations, U-M
- Anna Kirkland,* Director of the Institute for Research on Women and Gender; Arthur F. Thurnau Professor of Women’s Studies, U-M

Preventing and effectively addressing sexual harassment of women in colleges and universities has remained a challenge for decades. More than half of women faculty and staff report having been harassed. Student surveys of university systems show disturbingly similar rates, with 20–50% of women students experiencing sexually harassing behavior perpetrated by faculty or staff.

Persistent sexual harassment in STEM fields, and its adverse impacts on women’s careers, jeopardizes progress in closing the gender gap, damages research integrity, and results in a costly loss of talent. Academic sciences, engineering, and medicine share characteristics that create conditions for harassment, but many findings of the report are not limited to STEM field settings. Other fields within academia can be similarly male-dominated, hierarchical work and learning settings in which abusive cultures may form. Such environments can silence and limit the career opportunities for both the targets of the sexual harassment and bystanders, causing both men and women to leave their fields.

This panel discussion will offer broad discussion of use to any member of the university community or the public interested in sexual harassment in academia

Sexual Harassment in the Academy Panel Discussion Series is presented by IRWG and the Office of Research, with co-sponsorship from: ADVANCE, The Office for Health Equity and Inclusion, the College of Literature Sciences, and the Arts, and the College of Engineering

Questions or for accessibility information, please contact irwg@umich.edu or (734) 764-9537.

*National Academies committee member and report co-author