Science AMA Series: Hi, I’m Rochelle Poole*, and I recently published a
Working Life article in Science Magazine that detailed my experience of
bullying during scientific fieldwork. Ask me anything!
Abstract
Hi, I’m Rochelle Poole*, and I recently published a Working Life article
in Science Magazine that detailed my experience of bullying during
scientific fieldwork. Ask me anything! Last year, I was working toward a
PhD with a focus on predator-prey ecology. What seemed like a dream
opportunity, however, quickly devolved into a nightmare as my adviser
abruptly shifted field resources, denigrated me to others (in a foreign
language he thought I didn’t speak), and, when I confronted him told me
“I have the power to do this. This is how science works; you are just
naïve.” My entire story is this week’s Working Life article in Science
Magazine, and it details how my experience with this professor and the
lack of support systems at my institute prompted me to leave research
and change my focus to science communication instead. I remind myself
that leaving research doesn’t mean that I “lost.” I would have lost if
I had accepted bullying as a rite in academe and sacrificed my mental
health and quality of life. I know that taking on this bully was right
for me, and I hope that speaking about my experience will encourage
others to stand up for themselves, too. I feel it’s the only way to make
academic life more egalitarian. AAAS is facilitating this AMA as an
important aspect in the conversation around making science more
accessible and welcoming for everyone. Have you experienced bullying or
harassment? Are you an administrator or a professor who has worked on
anti-bullying policies for your institution? I look forward to answering
your questions and continuing this important conversation. *Rochelle
Poole is a pseudonym for a scientist who started out on a research
track, and now works on science communications. I’ll be back at noon EST
(9 am PST, 6 pm UTC) to answer your questions, ask me anything!