At a leading German university, a prominent biology researcher has been accused of bullying junior staff, primarily women and international students, fostering a toxic work environment. Allegations include unrealistic productivity demands and retaliation for unmet expectations, such as withholding recommendations and funding. Despite awareness of the situation by the university, no investigations have been initiated due to the legal complexities involving anonymity and tenured faculty protections. This systemic issue reflects broader problems of bullying in academia, particularly the power imbalance favoring established professors. Many regard such abusive behaviors as normalized within the academic culture.
Verbal abuse is commonplace. Women report being warned not to get pregnant while a member of his lab.
Germany is not the only country to have a problem with bullying in academia... this is just what science is like, says Daniel Leising.
Anonymity cannot be upheld in an investigation owing to German labour law. This complicates reporting incidents and enforcing sanctions against professors.
There is far too much power in the hands of professors in the German system, making them feel untouchable and emboldened.
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