The study is the first major one to map out how common threats, violence, and harassment are within higher education.
We did it because it was needed. There was a lack of figures, and it was striking that no such survey had been conducted, says David Brax.
He is a researcher and senior investigator at the National Secretariat for Gender Research at the University of Gothenburg, which is behind the study.
The largest exposure is within the subject areas of humanities and social sciences, where 47 and 43 percent of those surveyed, respectively, report having experienced harassment or threats.
But it occurs within all subject areas, says David Brax.
According to the study, female teachers and researchers are more exposed than male ones. Students are the most common perpetrators – and it often happens in teaching situations.
The most common forms of harassment or threats are via email, threatening statements face-to-face, or attacks on social media.
At the same time, many do not know where to turn in such a situation. This is an area where universities have room for improvement, according to David Brax.
You need to know the fire department's phone number before the fire starts. Since so many are affected, it is a fundamental work environment issue, he says.
The study is based on survey responses from around 3,000 members of the Swedish Association of University Teachers and Researchers (SULF).
In the study, university teachers and researchers were asked to answer the question: Have you ever, as a researcher/teacher, been exposed to any of the following (percentage):
Threatening email: 18 percent.
Threatening statement face-to-face: 11 percent.
Threat/attack via social media: 9 percent.
Other threatening event: 8 percent.
Threatening phone call: 7 percent.
Exposed on the internet: 6 percent.
False accusations: 6 percent.
Unwanted sexual attention: 6 percent.
Uncomfortable visit, stalking, or surveillance: 5 percent.
Been illegally photographed/recorded: 5 percent.
Source: National Secretariat for Gender Research at the University of Gothenburg.
