My Response to Science Careers and Advice to 'Bothered'

I sent the e-mail below to the American Academy for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) in response to the advice column published by Science Careers in May. The article, written by well-known molecular biologist Dr. Alice Huang, provided advice for 'Bothered,' a postdoctoral researcher who needed guidance on how to handle her advisor who was "looking down her shirt." Huang wrote: “As long as your adviser does not move on to other advances, I suggest you put up with it, with good humour if you can.”

I was appalled by the advice and quickly wrote the following message to the AAAS, providing alternative constructive advice. Science Careers has since removed Huang's column and provided better advice for 'Bothered' including my two cents.

Dear AAAS Editor and Dr. Alice Huang,

I am deeply disappointed by the advice you have provided in your popular Career Advice section published on June 1st, 2015.  

Repeated attempts to "look down my shirt" by an individual in a supervisory role over a trainee constitutes unacceptable behaviour that should not be allowed to continue - particularly if it has been brought to the attention of the larger community (a department, division, institution, etc.). Whether or not this behaviour crosses the boundary into illegal behaviour would presumably require a formal investigation which a qualified individual can assess. So your first advice should have been to send the trainee to talk to their institutional office that deals with this type of issue. Even if not illegal, this behaviour is presented to you as a "bother" requiring your advice, which I interpret as meaning it is unwelcome and therefore needs to be addressed. In general, this behaviour represents casual sexism. Suggesting that someone "live with" unwanted behaviour may, in some circumstances, be seen as being complicit in creating and maintaining a chilly or toxic climate for members of the community.

More helpful and practical advice to the trainee could be 1) acknowledging that this is unacceptable behaviour  2) acknowledging that this is making the trainee uncomfortable, is, indeed, a bother, and therefore needs to be addressed 3) finding a way to meet with the supervisor (perhaps with a more senior member of the department or similar) and, in a very clear and direct manner, explain the behaviour and how it makes the individual feel 4) explain that it must stop and 5) ensure that the trainee is fully supported (and possibly protected from retribution) and that the supervisor is kept accountable. None of these suggestions are necessarily easy or straightforward. Individuals inevitably may become uncomfortable or defensive. Junior members of the community may require advocates to help navigate the situation and/or institutional representatives with experience in handling conflict and managing appropriate behaviours among community members. As a Dean of Faculty of Science, this is part of my role and if this request for advice came to me, I would certainly provide a different response to that presented in this Career Advice section.  

Note that the supervisor may not be aware of the behaviour or of the way it makes the trainee feel. They may be mortified on finding out - or they may be defensive and dismissive. Ensuring that they are aware of it gives them the opportunity to change the behaviour while also being held accountable for future acceptable behaviour. There are no guarantees that things will change - but things will never change until we challenge unacceptable behaviours.

Perhaps an updated version of the advice could be presented with a more enlightened approach that ensures that casual sexism is challenged in the workplace and that individuals are held accountable for behaviours that suggest anything less than the position that allmembers of the community are appreciated for their contributions as scientists.

Best wishes,

Imogen R. Coe