Published in 2014 by a team of anthropologists, Kathryn B. H. Clancy, Robin G. Nelson, Julienne N. Rutherford and Katie Hinde,[3] the SAFE13 study is the first empirical investigation into scientists' experiences of harassment during fieldwork.
For example, only around one-third of field scientists (37.7%) recalled a code of conduct operating at their fieldwork site, and less than one-quarter remembered there being anti-harassment policies.
Amongst respondents who had experienced sexual harassment or assault, only one-fifth of survivors (20% each of women and men) knew of an easy way to formally report this experience.
In particular, the study shines attention on the role of fieldwork site directors in establishing clear rules to discourage sexual harassment.
[7] Some participants described incidents of sexual harassment in multiple fieldwork sites, so fifty-four field contexts are represented in their narratives.
These sites had training, explicit conversations, and senior researchers modelled proactive behaviour to redress sexual harassment.
Actively enforced anti-harassment policies were associated with positive fieldwork experiences where scientists felt safe, valued and equal.
[8] Prior to its final publication, the evolving findings of the SAFE13 study received media coverage in 2013, with a focus on how sexual harassment creates a "chilly climate" in science.
[9] Public discussion of the evolving study's findings explored the negative impact of harassment on junior women researchers.
[11] After the final report was published, the study became widely cited as evidence that sexual harassment contributes to women leaving science careers.
[16] The study has had a major impact on American astronomy and physics in particular, as these disciplines increasingly grapple with public incidents of harassment.
[17] In 2016, USA Rep. Jackie Speier of California sponsored a bill to compel research institutions to report investigations of harassment as a condition of receiving federal grant money.
[19] In February 2018, the USA National Science Foundation (NSF) announced it would require institutions to report whenever a researcher who is funded by their grants has engaged in sexual harassment.
[24] SAFE13 has also been cited as an important resource in responding to the aftermath of the #MeToo movement in 2017, by providing systematic context of sexual harassment.