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Survey of Academic Field Experiences (SAFE): Trainees Report Harassment and Assault

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  • Kathryn B H Clancy
  • Robin G Nelson
  • Julienne N Rutherford
  • Katie Hinde

Abstract

Little is known about the climate of the scientific fieldwork setting as it relates to gendered experiences, sexual harassment, and sexual assault. We conducted an internet-based survey of field scientists (N = 666) to characterize these experiences. Codes of conduct and sexual harassment policies were not regularly encountered by respondents, while harassment and assault were commonly experienced by respondents during trainee career stages. Women trainees were the primary targets; their perpetrators were predominantly senior to them professionally within the research team. Male trainees were more often targeted by their peers at the research site. Few respondents were aware of mechanisms to report incidents; most who did report were unsatisfied with the outcome. These findings suggest that policies emphasizing safety, inclusivity, and collegiality have the potential to improve field experiences of a diversity of researchers, especially during early career stages. These include better awareness of mechanisms for direct and oblique reporting of harassment and assault and, the implementation of productive response mechanisms when such behaviors are reported. Principal investigators are particularly well positioned to influence workplace culture at their field sites.

Suggested Citation

  • Kathryn B H Clancy & Robin G Nelson & Julienne N Rutherford & Katie Hinde, 2014. "Survey of Academic Field Experiences (SAFE): Trainees Report Harassment and Assault," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 9(7), pages 1-9, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0102172
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0102172
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    2. Marvin Reuter & Morten Wahrendorf & Cristina Di Tecco & Tahira M Probst & Antonio Chirumbolo & Stefanie Ritz-Timme & Claudio Barbaranelli & Sergio Iavicoli & Nico Dragano, 2020. "Precarious employment and self-reported experiences of unwanted sexual attention and sexual harassment at work. An analysis of the European Working Conditions Survey," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 15(5), pages 1-19, May.
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    7. Stephen J Aguilar & Clare Baek, 2020. "Sexual harassment in academe is underreported, especially by students in the life and physical sciences," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 15(3), pages 1-18, March.
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    9. Margaret C. Hardy, 2016. "Drafting an Effective Ethical Code of Conduct for Professional Societies: A Practical Guide," Administrative Sciences, MDPI, vol. 6(4), pages 1-11, November.
    10. John K. Millhauser, 2024. "How are you, anthropology? Reflections on well‐being and the common good," Economic Anthropology, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 11(2), pages 159-167, June.
    11. Hartshorn, Jessica A. & Brockerhoff, Eckehard G. & Klapwijk, Maartje J. & Marzano, Mariella & Ganley, Rebecca J. & Darr, Molly N., 2023. "Attracting and retaining women in forest entomology and forest pathology," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 154(C).
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