How is the situation regarding sexual harassment at our department?

Our very own university rector was very bold stating to the press “no he did not know any such incidents”, but soon had to correct and confirm that this issue had led to the termination of a UiB professorship, and that ten other cases were registered.

Not surprising. What characterizes an environment with increased risk of sexual harassment: gender inequality and power imbalance, as well as temporary working conditions. Anyone who recognizes this? Male Professors / Leaders / Teachers and Female Fellows / Subordinates / Students, adding a significant age difference between groups; this is us!

Sadly, we are in “good” company: search for university and sexual harassment, and there are several reports from universities in both Europe and the United States. The Guardian characterized this as “at epidemic levels” in March 2017.

What is considered sexual harassment? In general, harassment is defined as repeated unwanted actions over time, or a single serious act. Sexual harassment can range from sexual commentaries / whistling or “pawing” to sexual advances / suggestions to psychologic / physical pressure to achieve sexual “favors”. In an asymmetric working relationship, where a subordinate is dependent specifically on the superior (such as a mentor), she is vulnerable. As a general, a superior has a special responsibility to “keep his path clean”, but as colleagues, we also have a responsibility to speak out if witnessing unwanted behavior! Every one of us should contribute to a culture where harassing comments / actions are not accepted.

What to do if unwanted situations occur? Report! – primarily to your nearest leader, but if this is difficult, please contact a different superior or the formal human safety representative (“verneombud”) for formal inquiries, alternatively the union representative or the corporate health service for more informal advice / assistance. The University’s staff manual provides the following advice in case of harassment: make your own notes of what happened, time and place, and how you reacted. From 1.1.2018, students will have a specific report service at UiB: “Sifra”.

Even though we tend to find the difficulties and possible negative aspects of the now implemented regulations limiting temporary employments, such job protection will help shift the asymmetry / power imbalance in working conditions in the right direction. If this reduces the risk of sexual harassment, it must be regarded as an added benefit.

Jone

Committees from various funding sources (Research Council of Norway, Norwegian Cancer Society, etc.) have spent the autumn analyzing applications and CVs to seal out the around ten percent they think should be funded. The results from the Research Council of Norway’s program FRIMEDBIO show that the new committee established during summer 2017 has not found research at K2 worthy of being funded. In reality, success rates were poor from the Research Council of Norway this year.

So, what about getting on the other side of the fence? For the Research Council of Norway, you need to be invited to sit in the committee, but EU’s Horizon2020 program encourages researchers to register in the expert database. They are looking for two things: high expertise in relevant research field, and that you are available for random short-term assignments. The European Commission considers several factors when choosing evaluators for a call. In addition to scientific qualifications, gender and geographical spread are important factors.

There are many advantages of being an evaluator. You will get direct insight into the process and gain experience with the evaluation process. You will get the opportunity to read several proposals, both good and bad, and will learn which level is expected and what to avoid. This experience is useful when writing proposals for national announcements, which, to an ever-increasing degree, copy EU announcements.

Instead of providing you with a detailed description of the registration process, I have reserved 19 December and 10 January to assist you. You are welcome to come by my office, or invite me over.

Amra