Together We Can Do Better: A Gathering of Leaders in Academia to Prevent Sexual Harassment: Proceedings of a Workshop—in Brief

Excerpt

In recent decades, important gains have been made with respect to the participation of women in science, technology, engineering, and medical (STEM) disciplines at the undergraduate and graduate levels in the United States. More women than ever are joining faculty ranks in these fields and moving into leadership positions in higher education. While the “gender gap” is narrowing, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine report Sexual Harassment of Women: Climate, Culture, and Consequences in Academic Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine argues that more rapid and sustained progress in closing the gap in science, engineering, and medicine is jeopardized by the persistence of sexual harassment and its adverse impact on women's careers at colleges and universities. In an effort to advance the discussion on implementing the report's recommendations, the National Academies held a convocation on November 9, 2018 in Washington, DC. The event brought together academic leaders, Title IX and diversity officers, ombudsmen, researchers in sexual harassment, and leaders from professional societies, foundations, and federal agencies, to discuss strategies and share promising practices. This publication summarizes the presentations and discussions from the convocation.