June 2022
On February 4, AERA Council voted to endorse the principles set forth by the Association of American Universities (AAU) in October 2021 to prevent sexual harassment in academia and to commend the leadership of the AAU for taking this step forward. Under Council’s advisement, AERA’s endorsement became official following legal counsel review of the principles this spring.
In adopting these principles, AAU and its member institutions committed themselves to fighting sexual harassment on their campuses by agreeing to share information about accused harassers and to see all investigations into sexual misconduct through to completion, regardless of whether the accused harasser has moved on to other employment. The principles will guide member universities as they continue their efforts to create campus climates where sexual harassment is understood to be unacceptable and victims are heard and supported.
The principles address sexual misconduct in all forms, including sexual and gender-based harassment and related retaliation.
“It is absolutely critical that sexual harassment in the academic workplace, in all its forms, be eliminated,” said AERA Executive Director Felice J. Levine. “By committing campus leaders to take responsibility for preventing these heinous acts and fostering a more supportive and inclusive culture, the AAU principles serve as an important guidepost for all of academia.”
Council’s action is in line with the association’s strong commitment to fighting sexual harassment in the academic and scientific workplaces. AERA is an inaugural member of the Societies Consortium on Sexual Harassment in STEMM, supported the Combating Sexual Harassment in Science Act, advocated for changes in federal regulations, has held panels on sexual harassment at multiple AERA meetings, and emphasized harassment policies at AERA Annual Meetings.
- “AERA Executive Director Speaks at AAAS Town Hall on Sexual Harassment Prevention,” AERA Highlights, February 2020
- “Societies Consortium on Sexual Harassment in STEMM Holds First All-Member Convening,” AERA Highlights, October 2019
- “House Passes Combating Sexual Harassment in Science Act,” AERA Highlights, July 2019
- “Combating Sexual Harassment in Science Act of 2019 Introduced in Senate; AERA Among Endorsers,” AERA Highlights, April 2019
- “AERA an Inaugural Member of the Societies Consortium on Sexual Harassment in STEMM,” AERA Highlights, February 2019
- “75 Science Societies Urge the Education Department to Base Title IX Sexual Harassment Regulations on Research and Evidence,” AERA Highlights, January 2019
- “AERA Executive Director Felice J. Levine Calls on Congress to Support the Combating Sexual Harassment in Science Act,” AERA News Release, October 5, 2018
- “NSF to Require Awardee Institutions to Report Sexual Harassment Findings,” AERA Highlights, September 2018
- “AAAS Approves Policy to Revoke Elected Fellowship Honors for Misconduct or Harassment,” AERA Highlights, September 2018