Study finds threats and harassment common in Swedish academia

A survey on victimization in Swedish higher education institutions shows that 4 out of 10 researchers and teachers have been subjected to harassment, threats and violence. The report provides new insights into the extent of the problem, where the threat comes from and what the consequences are.

"Experiences of threats and harassment are common at Swedish higher education institutions and it is a major challenge," says David Brax, researcher and senior analyst at the Swedish Secretariat for Gender Research at the University of Gothenburg, and author of the report.

The study is based on survey responses from members of SULF (Swedish Association of University Teachers and Researchers) and is conducted in collaboration between SULF, SUHF (Association of Swedish Higher Education Institutions) and the Swedish Secretariat for Gender Research at the University of Gothenburg.

"The survey has the same design as the Swedish politicians' safety survey, which has also formed the basis for similar surveys of journalists and cultural workers. The report can thus be included in the larger picture of threats and harassment that affects professional groups of major importance to the democratic dialogue," says Brax.

Women more exposed than men

More than 30% of respondents in each subject area say they have experienced some form of victimization. Researchers and teachers in the humanities and social sciences report the greatest exposure. In these subject areas, 47% and 43% respectively say that they have experienced threats and/or harassment.

Female researchers and teachers are clearly more exposed than their male colleagues, especially by students, while men are more exposed by colleagues.

How researchers and teachers are victimized varies, but most common are threatening emails (18%), followed by threatening statements face-to-face (11%) and threats or attacks via social media (9%). Violence, theft and vandalism occur, but to a lesser extent (6%).

Students and co-workers most common perpetrators

Students are the most common group of perpetrators. Of the researchers and teachers who had been victimized in the past year, 50% said that the perpetrator was a student. The next most common is being victimized by a colleague in the same department.

The report suggests that threats and harassment are largely an internal problem within the higher education institution. The exception is subject areas that have been debated in the media. There, higher levels of victimization are reported and the perpetrator is often someone outside the academy and more rarely students.

"Our members face threats and hatred on a daily basis, which is of course completely unacceptable. There are many indications that the uncertainty and unhealthy competition for funding and employment leads to risks in the work environment, where threats and harassment between colleagues are part of it," says Sanna Wolk, President of SULF.

Prevention and support for the exposed

The consequences of threats and hatred are far-reaching. Many people avoid engaging in certain topics or speaking out on certain issues for fear of being exposed. Some even consider leaving academia because of their exposure.

Those who are most active in the media are also more exposed among those who have faced harassment and threats, but this is a relatively small group in the study. However, the study shows that concern about being exposed means that many researchers avoid participating in research communication.

"We see in the study that many are limited by the risks, which means that research that could benefit society does not reach out," says Brax.

The report also shows that there are shortcomings in the accessibility of information on support for the exposed.

"Higher education institutions need to work preventively against threats and harassment and ensure that all employees have access to and know where to turn for support," says Brax.

Facts about the survey

• The study examined, among other aspects, the proportion of respondents who have been victimized, what they are victimized by, what subjects they represent, what consequences it has for the exposed, and what support they received.
• The study is the first of its kind concerning researchers and university teachers in Sweden. It was conducted by the Swedish Secretariat for Gender Research in collaboration with the Swedish Association of University Teachers and Researchers (SULF) and The Association of Swedish Higher Education Institutions (SUHF).
• The survey was sent to members of SULF with e-mail in the membership register, a total of 17,459 people, and it was answered in full by 2,995 people.
• The report complements the interim report from the study published in 2022, with more information on the distribution of exposure and consequences, as well as in-depth context and analysis.

More information:
Victimisation in Swedish higher ediucation institutions. www.gu.se/sites/default/files/ … gher-education_0.pdf

Provided by University of Gothenburg