UCSD 2023 Integrity Champion!

I was nominated and awarded as a UCSD 2023 Integrity Champion for my work on bullying and harassment in the UC system.

Transcript:

Curiosity and creativity are integral to research. Curiosity to see the world and ask “Why is this happening?” while creativity to ask “How can we make this better”? I study the molecular  effects of acute and chronic stress. When faced with a stressor, typical maintenance functions are paused to respond to the crisis. But chronic stress is different., Wwhen there is no escape from the toxic environment, there is no recovery period, and this leads to disease. To make it better, we have to remove the stressor. This applies to people too; when people cannot safely leave a toxic environment they suffer. 

Toxic environments are created when those without power have no safe avenues to call out abuse by those with power. The academy is not immune to this problem. If graduate students and other trainees feel they must stay silent and endure or otherwise risk disrupting their path to employment, this is not a healthy ethical environment in which their curiosity and creativity can thrive.

I am not the first to recognize the systemic abuse of powers at play in academia, but I am the first graduate student in the UC System to draft and review a policy addressing bullying, harassment, and microaggressions that cannot be prosecuted under Title IX or Conduct Policies. In 2021 I started the UCSD Bullying & Harassment Advocacy Committee to develop a trauma-informed grievance process that would support students trapped in abusive environments.

I’m just a graduate student. It’s not my job to create administrative change, but I know that if I don’t do something, who will? As an academic, I have nothing to lose but my reputation. To me, it’s worth risking to defend trainees. My own thesis will be done by the time significant change is made, but addressing bullying and harassment in the academy is still worth doing. We have an obligation to each other, and to all future academics to create healthy ethical work environments in which all members can thrive.