Training Event

Recognizing professional boundaries and sexual harassment as a PGR

PGRs may encounter issues relating to sexual harassment and professional boundary violations during their studies or careers, whether as bystanders, Graduate Teaching Assistants, conference participants, line managers, or through being targeted for harassment themselves. However, shared understandings of appropriate boundaries in higher education are often lacking. At the same time, power imbalances between staff and PGRs create a context where sexual harassment and other abuses of power are more likely to occur.

The aims of this session are therefore:

● To support PGRs to recognise sexual harassment and other boundary-blurring behaviours that may be experienced by themselves and/or their peers

● To introduce the concept of professional boundaries

● To enable PGRs to better recognise and respond to inappropriate behaviours in different academic contexts

● To ensure PGRs understand how to raise concerns relating to these issues or to report them

● Provide skills and knowledge relevant to EEDI (equity, equality, diversity and inclusion) that will equip PGRs to tackle these issues in their careers as future academics and leaders.

This interactive session is led by trainers with expertise in this area and draws on recent research evidence. It will include discussion of an anonymised case study of boundary-blurring behaviours in higher education. The case study, along with details of how we will hold a safer space, will be shared a few days in advance of the session.

Professional boundaries and sexual harassment in a research setting:

staff training session

The term ‘professional boundaries’ denotes appropriate standards of behaviour by professionals in working with adult clients, patients or students. However, in higher education shared understandings of appropriate boundaries are often lacking. At the same time, power imbalances between staff and PGRs create a context where sexual harassment and other abuses of power is more likely to occur; around 10% of women postgraduate students (including PGRs) are targeted for sexual harassment during their studies. As well as the significant detriment experienced by those targeted, sexual misconduct can impact whole departments, even long after one or both parties has left. The role of professional boundaries as a tool for prevention is highlighted.

The aims of this session are therefore:

● To reflect on shared understandings of professional boundaries within the School/department

● To ensure staff can recognise sexual harassment - including more subtle forms - and know how to support PGRs and colleagues to recognise/raise this

This session will include discussion of an anonymised case study, used with permission, of boundary-blurring behaviours in higher education. The case study, along with details of how we will hold a safer space, will be shared a few days in advance of the session.