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Edward Hessler

A few days ago I received my weekly notice on new publications and news from the National Academies Press. At the top of the list was the report Sexual Harassment of Women: Climate, Culture, and Consequences in Academic Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.

It is a large report and not inexpensive ($59) although certainly in line with the cost of books but like all NAP publications it is available as a PDF. It can be read on-line and also downloaded.

Meredith Wadman wrote a summary for Science and notes that "the report describes persistent and damaging 'gender harassment'--behavior that belittles women and makes them feel they don't belong, including sexist jokes and demeaning jokes." Here are two numbers that made my eyes snap to attention: "Between 17% and 50% of female science and medical students reported this kind of harassment in large surveys conducted by two major university systems across 36 campuses."

You will find a link to the full report in Wadman's column.