An ad hoc committee under the oversight of CWSEM will undertake a study of the influence of sexual harassment in academia on the career advancement of women in the scientific, technical, and medical workforce. The study will include the following:
• Review of the research on the extent to which women in the fields of science, engineering, and medicine are victimized by sexual harassment on college and university campuses, in research labs and field sites; at hospitals/medical centers; and in other academic environments;
• Examination of existing information on the extent to which sexual harassment in academia negatively impacts the recruitment, retention, and advancement of women pursuing scientific, engineering, technical, and medical careers, with comparative evidence drawn from other sectors, such as the military, government, and the private sector.

• Identification and analysis of policies, strategies and practices that have been the most successful in preventing and addressing sexual harassment in these settings.
For purposes of this study, the definition of sexual harassment includes unwanted sexual advances and requests for sexual favors and other unwelcome conduct that is sexual in nature, as well as those situations in which the work or study environment is made intimidating or offensive as a result of actions that are gender-based and that interfere with an individual’s academic or work performance, opportunities for advancement, and morale.
The committee will issue a consensus report at the conclusion of the study and conduct outreach activities based on the findings and conclusions of the report, including but not limited to speaking engagements at university campuses, national labs, and a National Convocation in the Fall of 2018. A proceedings in brief will be produced to summarize the outcomes of the National Convocation.