Behavioral Specifics

"...the absolute WORST way to measure sexual misconduct is to query 'Have you been sexually harassed?' or 'Have you been sexually assaulted?' People’s working definitions of these experiences are expected to fall far short of the legal definitions ... Rather 'published recommendations for measurement of sexual assault and harassment typically endorse the use of behaviorally specific questions.'" (Katie Hinde, quoting NDRI.)

I’ve been frustrated with the way studies of sexual harassment in science are done. Not only do the questionnaires seem needlessly vague, and not only are the results interpreted in overly alarmist ways, they don’t seem to capitalize on the presumable intelligence of the survey respondents. They don't let the respondents think along with the researchers. It seems to me that a survey that signaled some seriousness, and made it very clear what sort of information was being sought, could provide (if a good enough sample could be collected) really important insights into the sex and gender climate in astronomy today.

I’m not an expert in designing such surveys. Maybe some degree of misdirection and vagueness is necessary in this sort of work. But here, in any case, is a set of questions I’d like a representative survey of astronomers to answer. I make them available here for the consideration of anyone who is thinking of investigating the issue, and would, of course, be happy to discuss the matter further with anyone who is interested. This proposed "instrument" should give a good sense of the sorts of measurements I'm interested in.

In my view, the survey should be accompanied by a cover letter that explains the intention of the survey, namely, to try to distinguish sharply between soft and hard forms of harassment, and get a detailed picture of the sorts of behaviors that are typical among astronomers in the area of gender and sexuality. The cover letter should include some examples of behavior and what the “right” answer would be in the opinion of the researchers. For example, the researchers could refer to cases that are part of the public record, like the relationship between Sarah Ballard and Geoff Marcy, and say how such experiences might inform a respondent's answers. I.e., how would Sarah Ballard rightly answer these questions?

Trigger Warning

This is a survey about sexual assault and harassment in astronomy. If you have been sexually assaulted or harassed, the questions may trigger traumatic memories and you might therefore not want to take this survey. It would be helpful to us, however, if you let us know the reason you are not responding. (Check one or both.)

I am concerned that this survey might trigger traumatic memories from experiences outside of the astronomy community. ( )
I am concerned that this survey might trigger traumatic memories from experiences within the astronomy community. ( )


Background

When did you/do you expect to receive your PhD? [year]

What is your current employment status? [PhD student, post-doc, assistant prof, associate prof, full prof, non-academic]

What leadership positions do you hold? [RPI, department head, director, dean, president]

What country do you currently hold your primary employment position in?

What is your gender? [male/female/other]

How do you identify racially? [white/POC] (Perhaps this should be more specific?)

How many of your peers are also friends and/or lovers? [none, few, many]

Have you ever had a consensual sexual encounter with a peer?

After enrolling in graduate school, have you ever had a consensual sexual encounter with an undergraduate student at the same university and in a related program?

As a faculty member, have you ever had a consensual sexual encounter with a graduate student?

As an undergraduate, have you ever had a consensual sexual encounter with teacher?

As a graduate student, have you ever had a consensual sexual encounter with a supervisor?


Self-report of harassment and assault

(These are yes/no questions.)

In your judgment, have you ever been sexually harassed by a fellow astronomer?
*b. Has your harasser been punished?

In your judgment, have you ever sexually harassed a fellow astronomer?
*b. Have you been punished for this?

In your judgment, have you ever been sexually assaulted by a fellow astronomer?
*b. Has your harasser been punished?

In your judgment, have you ever sexually assaulted a fellow astronomer?
*b. Have you been punished for this?

Do you think your decision to have sex or not with another astronomer has ever directly impacted (positively or negatively) your career? Please leave aside the effects of your happiness or unhappiness with your choice of life partner, who may of course be an astronomer. Also, leave aside merely risk-avoiding behavior. If you merely considered but decided against sleeping with a student or teacher, which you judge could have potentially ruined your career but didn’t, you should answer no. (Likewise, merely “risky” but non-consequential decisions should also be left on the side in this question: if you got away with it, answer no.) The question is whether your career trajectory has been directly affected by your sexual decision making, i.e., whether your career has ever been directly at stake when making a decision to have sex.


Behavioral specifics

(These questions are to be answered [never, rarely, sometimes, often] unless otherwise stated. They are all about interactions with your peers and/or superiors. I.e., they are all implicitly about experiences "at work".)

How often do you engage in personal communication and encounters with your peers?

How often do you experience non-ironic uses of gender stereotypes at work?

How often do you experience ironic uses of gender stereotypes at work?

How often do you experience sexist language, i.e., language that demeans an individual on the basis of gender, or simply demeans all members of a gender?

How often are you exposed to overtly sexual remarks or jokes?

How often are you exposed to sexual innuendo?

How often are you invited by peers to engage in activities that are sexually themed? (This would include being invited to view pornography, visit strip clubs, or go to swinger parties.)
*b. How often do you find this to be inappropriate? [in no/few/some/all cases]

How often are you approached by peers in astronomy for sexual or romantic purposes?

How often do you approach your peers in astronomy for sexual or romantic purposes?

How often are you touched in what is to you a personal but clearly non-sexual and non-violent way? (This does not include impersonal or formal touching such as handshakes or standing closely in a packed elevator but includes hugs, hand holding, pats on the back, firmly grabbing your shoulders or biceps, or lifting your chin with a finger. It may be as a gesture of support or censure.)
*b. How often do you find such “friendliness” (or animosity) to be inappropriately personal or a violation of your personal space? (Remember these are not cases in which the touching is interpreted by you as in any way sexual or actually violent.)

How often do you experience being looked at in a covertly sexual way by other astronomers, i.e., primarily for the sexual gratification of the looker? (Leave aside looks by romantic partners.)
*b. How often do you find this to be inappropriate? [in no/few/some/all cases]

How often do you experience being looked at in an overtly sexual way, i.e., in way that is intended to communicate sexual desire to you? (Again, leave aside any looks by romantic partners from whom such communication is to be expected.)
*b. How often do you find this to be inappropriate? [in no/few/some/all cases]

How often have you been touched, without giving prior consent, for what you interpret to be primarily the sexual gratification of the person touching you? (Again, leave aside touches by current romantic partners.)
*b. How often do you find this to be inappropriate? [in no/few/some/all cases]

How often have you been touched, without giving prior consent, in what you interpret to be an explicitly sexual manner, i.e., a way that is intended to please you? (Please include touchings that both did and didn’t please you. But again leave aside romantic partners.)
*b. How often do you find this to be inappropriate? [in no/few/some/all cases]

How often do you experience physical violence from you peers?

How often are you offered sexual favors in exchange for professional favors? I.e., how often does someone offer to provide you with sexual pleasure in exchange for professional assistance provided by you?

How often are you offered professional assistance in exchange for sexual favors? I.e., how often does someone offer to provide you with professional assistance in exchange for sexual pleasure provided by you?

How often are you punished professionally for not engaging in sexually-themed activities (e.g., watching pornography or going to strip clubs) with your peers and/or superiors?

How often are you punished professionally for refusing to engage in sexual activities (e.g., kissing, fondling, oral sex or intercourse) with your peers and/or superiors?