Catching up on this – one of our proudest accomplishments this past year is a study we conducted for the American Statistical Association on its members’ experiences of sexual misconduct and gender-based discrimination at ASA events and in other academic or professional settings.
Among women who participated in the study, 33 percent reported at least one incident of sexually inappropriate behavior or gender-based discrimination at one or more ASA events. Many reported repeat occurrences, including in the recent past. Most common was gender-based disrespect or condescension, followed by different treatment (e.g., in the quality or nature of assignments) based on sex or gender.
Fourteen percent reported having experienced sexual harassment or behavior that may have been harassing. Many more, 58 percent, reported experiences of sexual harassment or possible harassment in a workplace, graduate program or other career-related venue or meeting unrelated to the ASA. Qualitative comments underscored feelings of being demeaned personally and disrespected professionally, with consequent emotions including frustration, anger, resentment and self-doubt.
The ASA presented our findings at its annual meeting last summer and has used them – including policy recommendations offered by more than 800 of its members – in formulating new policies and procedures designed to address sexual misconduct and gender-based discrimination at the association’s events.
Read the ASA’s summary and our full report to the association.