The problems began in 2002, with the female professor--a spousal hire of the institute's director. (Neither are identified by name in public reports.) According to sources, the professor was a micromanaging and demanding bully who caused members of her lab to cry at work, withdraw from the university, and even quit the academic field. Staff and students feared crossing her or her husband who were both seen as powerful internally and in the scientific community. Finally, a post-doc consulted the Ombuds who raised the issue to ETH's president.
The university's response has been dramatic. The institute was dissolved, professor and her husband were put on sabbatical, and students were transferred to other advisors. The Ombuds at ETH are Wilfred F. van Gunsteren, Professor Emeritus of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, and Maryvonne Landolt, an alumnus and long-time staff person. (ETH Press Release; NZZ am Sonntag; ETH Ombuds.)
https://jobseachjournal.wordpress.com/2017/10/25/the-dark-side-of-academia-abuse-power-games-and-harassment/
ReplyDeleteSome of the accused professor's colleagues have come to her defense: http://www.sciencemag.org/sites/default/files/CarolloSupportLetter_short.pdf
DeleteIn response, close to 700 astronomers signed a letter of support for the students who had reported their abuse to the Ombudspersons at ETH Zurich in Switzerland. Reported by Science on Nov. 2nd with a link to the support letter against bullying in astronomy, http://www.sciencemag.org/news/2017/11/hundreds-astronomers-rally-behind-whistleblowers-controversial-swiss-institute
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