About
1 in every 3 researchers has experienced some form of bullying.
In 2019, on World Mental Health Day, Cactus Communications launched a global survey on mental health among researchers. With 13,000 researchers participating globally, the CACTUS Mental Health Survey shed light on some disturbing trends. It revealed that bullying is one of the major factors negatively affecting researcher mental health and wellbeing.
These insights don’t stand alone. Over the past few years, a growing body of evidence has consistently pointed to an alarming incidence of bullying in academia and academic institutions. We wanted to do something to address this.
To bring this issue to the fore, CACTUS and Researcher.Life came together to launch the THINK Academia Initiative. This has been an urgent need for too long. We cannot keep ignoring the growing numbers or the terrifying experiences. We must act now.
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AWARENESS
To make researchers and academic institutions more aware of what bullying looks like in academia, specifically how frequently it happens and the various forms it could take.
ACCOUNTABILITY
To prescribe a set of practical guidelines centered on how researchers and research institutions can not only avoid and prevent incidents of bullying but also promote and embody more positive behaviour.
Build awareness and
acknowledge the problem
To build awareness around increasing incidents of bullying in academia and higher education, by highlighting data, research, personal stories, and experiences.
Call attention to acts of bullying
To create and maintain an open list of acts, behaviour, communication, etc. that qualify as academic bullying, including those that might be subtle, non-verbal, and invisible.
Encourage policy creation and reform
To encourage research institutions to:
(a) Create and implement strict policies to prevent, detect, and take action against bullying.
(b) Create safe channels for targets to talk about incidents of bullying and report a grievance or complaint.
Foster kindness and support
To prescribe an ideal code of conduct that encourages researchers globally to lead with kindness and empathy, and be unbiased, respectful, and polite in their interactions with each other – both professional and personal.
Advocate for change
To call upon researchers and research institutions to adopt and practice zero-tolerance for bullying acts, behaviours, and incidents.
Improve academic culture
To call upon researchers and research institutions globally to aspire and collectively work towards creating a more positive research culture and work environment – one that is free from bullying.