Respect in Research Project

The Respect in Research project report was launched by the Sex Discrimination Commissioner Dr Anna Cody at the AAMRI National Conference in Canberra on November 19th 2023.

See the presentation HERE 

Workplace sexual harassment is a universal challenge, pervading every industry, including the health and medical research sector in Australia. It inflicts substantial financial, emotional, and psychological damage, particularly on women and those from underrepresented groups, while also imposing an economic cost due to lost productivity and intellectual wastage. 

In the wake of global movements like #MeToo and #TimesUp, the National Inquiry into Sexual Harassment in Australian Workplaces was established, leading to the comprehensive Respect@Work report. This report underscored the necessity for sweeping reforms, offering 55 recommendations applicable to governmental and private sectors. 

Responding to these calls for change, AAMRI and Women in Science Parkville Precinct (WISPP) launched the Respect in Research Project. This initiative specifically targets the pervasive issue of sexual harassment within the health and medical research sector, an area identified as possessing an elevated risk with harassment prevalence rates significantly surpassing the national average. 

The Respect in Research report, a direct outcome of extensive industry consultations, identifies unique risks and proposes tailored solutions. It outlines a strategic approach encompassing eight priority areas, intended to inform and shape organisational policies, training protocols, and overall strategies. These recommendations are not just systemic; they are designed to empower leaders at medical research institutes, enabling them to meet their legal obligations and drive substantive, enduring change. 

The report serves as a clear call to industry leaders, urging immediate, decisive action. The current legislative landscape in Australia reinforces the urgency, with stringent provisions now in place to combat sexual and gender-based harassment. The responsibility, akin to occupational health and safety duties, rests heavily on the shoulders of Boards, CEOs, and Executive teams. 

Throughout our consultations, representatives throughout the sector openly acknowledges past failures, including the inadequate support for victim-reporters and the unchecked progression of perpetrators' careers. There was a unanimous recognition of the issue not merely as a women's issue but as a societal one, demanding universal engagement. The report is a foundational step, aiming to catalyse collective efforts to radically transform funding mechanisms and operational ethos within medical research, ensuring a safe, inclusive space for every researcher. 

With a profound understanding of the historical context and current societal norms that facilitate harassment, the Respect in Research report is an urgent appeal and a robust framework for leaders. It emphasises the need to acknowledge past oversights while forging a harassment-free future. Now is the time for the sector to commit to working collaboratively, harnessing shared expertise and resources, to protect and nurture a workforce capable of conducting world-class health and medical research.