National Science Foundation Releases New Sexual Harassment Policy, Pledging Ongoing Efforts in this Area

The National Science Foundation (NSF) recently released its new policy on harassment by personnel working on NSF-funded projects. The new policy requires awardee organizations to notify the NSF of:

• Any findings or determinations that an NSF-funded principal investigator or co-principal investigator committed harassment, including sexual harassment or sexual assault.
• The placement of the principal investigator or co-principal investigator on administrative leave, or of the imposition of any administrative action relating to a harassment or sexual assault finding or investigation.

In addition, to this policy, the NSF allows affected individuals to submit complaints directly to the NSF Office of Diversity and Inclusion. The webpage also includes information such as “promising practices” on policies, effective codes of conduct and standards of behavior that may be applied everywhere NSF-supported research is conducted.

In discussing the new policy, NSF Director France Cordova noted “NSF’s actions on this complex and challenging issue will not stop here. There are sure to be unforeseen challenges, even with all the discussion with and support from our partners. In the coming months, we will continue to listen to the research community and monitor our progress.”

To view the new policy in full, click here: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2018/09/21/2018-20574/notification-requirements-regarding-findings-of-sexual-harassment-other-forms-of-harassment-or