In recent years, several testimonies of abuse of power and sexual transgression in Belgium and the Netherlands reached the media. This brought public attention to the phenomenon, but these stories had often already been circulating among colleagues and students for some time: in the corridors, on social media, in whisper networks, etc. The testimonies show that it was often not only the sexual harassment itself that caused a breach of trust, but that the silence and lack of support from the university in question also led to a great sense of isolation and indignation among victims, bystanders, and others involved. Public outrage led universities to issue statements promising to improve their response to sexual harassment. 

The increasing attention of both the media and universities themselves to sexual harassment has led to a proliferation of stories surrounding sexual harassment in the academic context. Only the most extreme cases are highlighted in the media. In turn, universities themselves approach the phenomenon from a legal perspective. At the same time, we can ask which stories remain untold: who is not being heard? And, as a result, what remains unsaid? What does it take to be able to tell these stories? These questions serve as the starting point of this one-day workshop.

This day aims to bring together young researchers from different disciplines and institutions around the topic of sexual harassment in academia, which remains difficult to discuss despite current public attention. This raises questions and doubts for many researchers, especially for young researchers at the beginning of their academic careers. An important aspect of the cultural shift around sexual harassment and power abuse resides in the stories that are available to us as an academic community. With this workshop, we aim to provide young researchers with a toolbox to critically approach those stories and collectively reflect on what it will take to move toward a university in which new stories can be told and heard.

Session 1: A theoretical-ethical framework for sexual harassment in academia: outlining the key concepts

In the first session, the organizers present the theoretical conceptual framework from which they approach the phenomenon in their own research practice. Its aim is to provide some key concepts as a shared vocabulary for the subsequent, interactive sessions.

Session 2: The stories we tell: examining narratives surrounding sexual harassment in academia

In the second session, we will take a critical look at the stories we currently have available about sexual harassment. We will do so in small groups by means of a discourse analysis of policy texts, media articles, websites,... We will ask the following questions, among others: What do we think of when we think of sexual harassment in academia? What stereotypes and dominant conceptions influence our imagination about it? Which actors get a voice in the debate? Whose voices are absent?

Session 3: Changing the narrative: the re-stor(y)ative power of creative writing (in English and Dutch)

In the afternoon, participants will be introduced to the methods of creative writing and critical storytelling as possible "tools" for narrative repair. In this third session, participants will turn to pen and paper. Under the guidance of  Phil Crockett Thomas (University of Stirling) and Sixtine Bérard (art historian, cultural critic, writer), we will reflect on those stories we have not yet heard or written down.

Session 4: closing session with plenary discussion and evaluation

We close the day with a plenary discussion about the insights we gained and exchanged throughout the day. We will also spend time on an evaluation of the workshop and reflect on the tools we have gained for our own research practice.

Participants will be asked to read some short texts in preparation for the workshop. These texts and the full program will be communicated to participants via email in a timely manner.

During this day, we will deal with some triggering topics that will not affect everybody in the room equally. We expect participants to take this into account. No one will be pressured to share or discuss anything. Throughout the day there will be a quiet room available for participants who want to take a breather. Anyone can leave at any time - no reason needs to be given for this.

Participation in the workshop is free of charge. Coffee, tea, and lunch will be provided. Do you have accessibility needs that we can assist you in? Please contact Sofie.Avery@uantwerpen.be to discuss options. There is an elevator available on campus. Sadly, past experiences have taught us that this elevator can be too small for some mobility scooters/electric wheelchairs, so be sure to contact us if in doubt.

SWIP-NL is donating two travel grants worth 50 euros to participants who do not have working funds with which to pay for the train ride. Please email Katrien.Schaubroeck@uantwerpen.be if you would like to take advantage of the scholarship.

This workshop is organized in shared collaboration between University of Antwerp, Ghent University, KU Leuven and Free University of Brussels with support from the Flemish Government (Omkadering Jonge Onderzoekers). 

When? 13 May 2024 - 9:00h - 17:00h

Where? The workshop will take place in building R of the UAntwerp City campus (Rodestraat 14), participants will receive the room numbers after registering.