The Genetics Society of America (GSA) has joined the Societies Consortium on Sexual Harassment in STEMM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medicine). The Societies Consortium aims to address sexual and gender-based harassment in science and advance professional and ethical conduct, climate, and culture in STEMM fields.
"GSA works to advance the field of genetics, but science can’t flourish while scientists are held back by sexual and gender harassment," says GSA Executive Director Tracey DePellegrin. “We are pleased to team up with other societies in confronting this pervasive problem."
The Societies Consortium will provide research, resources, and guidance to member societies to assist them in addressing sexual harassment in their respective fields, including model policies and procedures for society awards.
Responding to community concerns about harassment at scientific events, GSA has recently updated the code of conduct for GSA conferences. The new code makes it clearer what types of behavior are unacceptable and outlines the consequences of non-compliance. Joining the Societies Consortium will enable GSA to take the next steps in promoting a safe and inclusive climate in our field.
The Societies Consortium was established by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), and the American Geophysical Union (AGU), with EducationCounsel serving as the policy and law consultant. GSA joins a group of more than 70 inaugural members.
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The Genetics Society of America serves an international community of more than 5,000 scientists who use genetics to make new discoveries and improve lives. GSA advances the field through conferences, the journals GENETICS and G3: Genes|Genomes|Genetics, advocacy, professional development programs, and more. The Society has a deep commitment to fostering the next generation of scholars in the field.