Bryan Hanson, Ombudsperson for Virginia Tech's Graduate School, discusses Disrupting Academic Bullying, addressing harassment in academic environments, the role of an ombud in conflict resolution, understanding academic bullying's impact and ways to navigate nonviolent communication. They delve into the importance of addressing bullying in higher education through policy changes and supportive cultures, highlighting the need for restorative approaches and inclusive environments.
Encouraging supportive academic communities through 'Disrupting Academic Bullying' program led by Brian Hanson.
Prioritizing fair conflict resolution processes with confidentiality, impartiality, and independence to address academic bullying effectively.
Promoting inclusive and empathetic academic cultures to combat bullying, emphasizing restorative approaches over punitive measures.
Deep dives
Recognizing Academic Bullying and Building Supportive Environments
Academic bullying can have a significant impact on individuals within higher education, leading to psychological trauma and causing some to exit the academic field despite notable achievements. The podcast delves into the story of individuals like Sheila Jasnoff and Claudia Schwartz, highlighting their experiences of abuse in academic settings and the subsequent impact on their careers and well-being. By raising awareness and creating a shared language around bullying behaviors, steps can be taken to disrupt academic bullying and cultivate more affirming and supportive research and learning environments within academia.
Navigating Conflict and Developing Constructive Responses
The podcast explores the work of conflict resolution expert Brian Hanson at Virginia Tech, who developed the 'Disrupting Academic Bullying' program to promote supportive academic communities. By recognizing conflict as a natural part of human interactions and providing resources like ombudsperson services, individuals can gain support in addressing conflicts that arise in academic settings. Hanson emphasizes the importance of fostering fair processes, confidentiality, informality, impartiality, and independence in conflict resolution practices to ensure constructive responses to academic bullying and harassment.
Understanding Structures and Strategies to Address Academic Bullying
The discussion in the podcast sheds light on the structural factors within academia that contribute to academic bullying, including power differentials, lack of mentorship training, and the normalization of harmful behaviors. Leaders in academic institutions are encouraged to show empathy, listen attentively to individuals' experiences, and adopt restorative approaches rather than punitive measures in addressing incidents of bullying. By creating inclusive and supportive academic cultures, bystanders and leaders can play crucial roles in mitigating the impacts of academic bullying and building healthier research and learning communities.
Creating a Constructive Conversation Environment
Fostering a constructive conversation environment is crucial in addressing aggressive behaviors in academic settings. By emphasizing the importance of developing individuals in higher education, opportunities arise to reset relational dynamics and address behaviors effectively. Identifying differing motivations behind hostile behaviors, whether accidental due to coping mechanisms or intentional as political gamesmanship, is essential. Implementing restorative approaches and, when necessary, punitive measures can help reshape community dynamics towards collaboration and team-building.
Promoting Awareness and Constructive Engagement in Higher Education
In higher education, initiatives aiming to combat academic bullying are gaining momentum. Strategies include certifications or pledges to address hostility and aggression systematically. Emphasizing regular constructive conversations, training, and mentorship alongside specialized discipline training can cultivate a future generation that rejects hostile behaviors in academia. By echoing successful efforts against gender bias, fostering continuous dialogue and awareness can drive a culture of respect and inclusivity necessary for academic success.
Peoples & Things host Lee Vinsel talks with Bryan Hanson, ombudsperson for Virginia Tech's Graduate School, about a program he developed called Disrupting Academic Bullying, which seeks to encourage all members of academic communities to support and promote affirming environments for research and learning. Lee and Bryan talk about the reality of harassment and abuse in academic workplaces and what community members and departments can do when they experience or witness bullying. They also reflect on the limits of such programs and the use of formal bureaucratic responses to solve social and moral problems, while affirming that universities could, indeed, do a great deal more today to address such issues.
