STORY 47

While a postdoctoral scientist, I reported my adviser for research misconduct, gender discrimination, harassment and bullying to the university (in the United States). After 3 months of FMLA and 6 months of paid administrative leave by the university, they suddenly decided that it was time for me to go. They were not going to do anything about my Title VII and IX allegations nor my research misconduct allegations. Before they actually fired me, they asked me to sign an NDA that would silence me once and for all.

There wasn’t much negotiating to be honest. I was given one week to decide what to do.  After six months of paid administrative leave, the university suddenly decided that they were not going to keep me on paid leave anymore. They contacted my lawyer with a two-page letter (the NDA) outlining their expectations (I.e., my silence) if I accepted their offer of only four weeks’ pay (this is what my entire academic career was worth to them!). Luckily, I had good advice from colleagues who had been through similar situations. They advised me not to sign it, because it would cause mental and emotional distress for years to come.

My lawyer and I rejected the letter, and the university subsequently fired me. It was the end of my academic research career. It has been three years since then, and I’m still mourning the loss. My adviser was allowed to keep working this entire time, tampered with evidence for the research misconduct case, and continued to harass and bully his staff. He’s still employed by the university, who continues to give him funds and awards. At this point, almost 20 women have left their careers because of his abuse…and this has only been during his most recent employment of five years at this university. He displayed the same abusive behaviors at his previous universities too.

I’m grateful every day that I had colleagues to guide me through this process. Signing the NDA would have silenced me, just as my harasser did. It’s taken me a long time to reclaim my voice.