Scientists work in various spaces. We research, teach and communicate in offices, classrooms, laboratories and field settings as well as at meetings and conferences. We interface with others in a diverse array of relationships and degrees of collaboration, in person and through technology. As in any field of work, these interactions sometimes lead to conflict, ranging from uncivil to abusive.

Highly publicized cases of workplace sexual harassment and assault in the entertainment industry and government have raised the profile on one aspect of inappropriate workplace behavior. And, whether we want to admit it or not, the scientific community is not immune.

Cases of bullying and discrimination in academic and research institutions are all too common. Numerous studies indicate that abusive work environments impact not only the individual, but are costly to the organization.

In 2014, a research team led by the University of Illinois anthropologist Kathryn Clancy examined the experiences of scientists while working in the field. Nearly 3 out of 4 of those surveyed said they had directly observed or been told about instances in which researchers and/or colleagues made inappropriate or sexual remarks at their most recent or most notable field site. Sixty-four percent said they experienced sexual harassment, and 20 percent reported being sexually assaulted.

In response to recent high-profile cases, published studies and our own personal experiences, we ran a campaign dubbed “#NeverOK” at Entomology 2017, the annual meeting of the Entomological Society of America (ESA) held recently in Denver.

We promoted the message “Bullying and harassment in all forms are #NeverOK,” gathering hundreds of signatures on a banner and giving buttons to conference attendees. We gave #MeToo buttons to those willing to identify themselves as targets of bullying or harassment, and #IHearYou buttons to those wanting to be allies to those so targeted. The social media catch-phrases were coined to publicize how often harassment occurs and how all-to-often victims are blamed or their accounts dismissed.

We are not the first to address this issue within our community. For several years, a group of women have highlighted the issues faced by women in entomology, organized events and networking opportunities and provided a support network for targets of sexual harassment. The Entomological Society of America governing board formed a Diversity and Inclusion Committee to promote a profession where everyone feels welcome and created a code of conduct for expected behavior at ESA meetings.

Happily, support for our #NeverOK message was almost unanimous. But from conversations at our table, we learned that many ESA members from diverse backgrounds in academia, industry and government have experienced some form of bullying and harassment. We heard many stories of people with a passion for entomology who had been harassed, marginalized or even pushed out of their workplaces. The personal and professional effects are profound. How many entomologists have not spoken up, not been heard, or left entomology because of bullying, harassment, or discrimination? What has our science and society lost as a consequence?

We envision entomologists as agents of change, promoting healthy workspaces where all are treated with respect. Our campaign encourages everyone to listen with respect and empathy, believe and offer support, know resources and direct people to them, and speak up when someone is harassed or marginalized. We urge people to examine and challenge their own bias and to push for change in policy and culture. We invite people from other disciplines and walks in life to do the same. Let us work together toward respectful, safe, and inclusive workspaces.

Helen Spafford, Ph.D., is an associate professor of plant/environmental protection sciences at the University of Hawaii-Manoa; Michelle Duennes, Ph.D., is a food/agriculture education postdoctoral fellow at the University of California, Riverside.