AFTER THE ACCUSATION

• Published in: Science (American Association for the Advancement of Science) Vol. 351; no. 6274; pp. 652 - 657
• Main Author: Balter, Michael
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States American Association for the Advancement of Science 12.02.2016
• Subjects: Anthropology; Faculty; FEATURES; Female; Humans; Male; Museums; New York City; Paleontology; Sex Offenses - psychology; Sexual Harassment - psychology; Students - psychology; Surveys and Questionnaires; Women - psychology; New York City
• ISSN: 0036-8075; 1095-9203
• DOI: 10.1126/science.351.6274.652

A complex case of alleged sexual misconduct rattles a field and signals a cultural shift. A lengthy investigation by Science reveals allegations of sexual misconduct against noted paleoanthropologist Brian Richmond, as well as the field's response. The story highlights a major shift in how academic communities deal with sexual harassment, as they strive to change the culture at the institutional level. This shift—a long time coming, according to many researchers—was spurred in part by recent high-profile cases in astronomy and biology. Now, paleoanthropology is responding to its own complex case. An allegation against Richmond, the curator of human origins at the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) in New York City, inspired a cascade of other allegations about him and motivated several senior paleoanthropologists to do battle against sexual harassment in their field. The article details institutional efforts to stop sexual misconduct in science while trying to balance the rights of victims and accused, and provides the latest update on what is now AMNH's third investigation into Richmond.