Sexual abuse and harrasment at the Smithsonian

Sexual abuse and harassment at the Smithsonian

Sixteen  scientists who worked as researchers -some in their student years- at the Smithsonian Institute’s facilities on the island of Barro Colorado, in Panama, described inappropriate sexual behavior by “high rank” workers and colleagues

According to Buzzfeed News, based on internal emails and interviews with 25 scientists related to the operation of the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute ( STRI ), the complaints were resolved with verbal warnings or some restrictions on the workers indicated, but they all continued to work on their research and interact with their colleagues.

 It was not until 2020 that one of the people involved was dismissed after repeated complaints and an internal investigation.

The center’s director, Joshua Tewksbury, quoted in the report, assured a Buzzfeed News reporter that the accusations are treated seriously and that they have “clear protocols to investigate.” He added that details on specific cases cannot be provided.

“The Smithsonian is committed to maintaining a safe and healthy work environment and will not tolerate any type of harassment against any member of the community,” the STRI press office responded to an email sent by La Prensa after the publication.

“We recognize that having strong internal policies and processes are only part of the solution. We also recognize the pain and understand the courage it takes to be able to face and talk about these situations ”, adds the STRI.

In the Buzzfeed report, scientist Egbert Leigh, who worked at STRI for decades until his retirement, acknowledges the allegations and apologizes “for the pain and discomfort my behavior caused … I apologize to those who were hurt or offended ”.

Two other scientists, Edward Allen Herre and Benjamin Turner deny the allegations. The second was separated from his position in 2020. Later, it was learned that his dismissal was linked to the reports.

Now, scientists and students who carried out investigations in Barro Colorado, in laboratories that were sometimes managed and administered by the alleged perpetrators, are in a legal battle for copyright, since one of the alleged perpetrators appeared credited in scientific publications as “collaborator”.

Liza Comita a professor at Yale School of the Environment and a research associate at STRI did not suffer the behaviors described in the Buzzfeed publication but has positioned herself in favor of the victims.

“These are women who are experts in tropical ecology … The time and energy they are wasting in dealing with these events is a loss for science,” she said.

Tewksbury, the director of STRI, replied: “We are taking every possible action to support the health and well-being of our entire scientific community.”

The Smithsonian assured La Prensa that it is “continually strengthening policies and procedures to thoroughly investigate allegations of harassment and take appropriate corrective action.”

Since 2019, they reported, an office for the prevention of harassment and violence in the workplace called SI Civil has been established at the Smithsonian, “with the mission of empowering the community to communicate their concerns in the workplace and that do so with the confidence that their concerns will be addressed and without fear of retaliation. “

Open Letter
Meanwhile, attorney Laura L. Dunn, who represents several of the victims, published an open letter on behalf of her clients, addressed to the Gender Policy Council of President Joe Biden’s administration, calling for comprehensive reform to policies.

 The letter calls on the council to make four “critical reforms” to STRI and the Smithsonian Institution: change the control model, which “concentrates power in the hands of scientists, who are mostly older white men”; adopt security measures in residences in Barro Colorado; improve the reporting system for situations of this type and the communication of research results, and, finally, establish an ethical standards committee that governs the conduct of scientists.