Scholar to speak on sexual harassment, sexism in higher education

Kate Lockwood Harris

By David Simpson

Sexual harassment and sexism in higher education will be the focus of a campus talk next month.

Kate Lockwood Harris, an assistant professor of organizational communication at the University of Minnesota, will speak from noon to 2 p.m. March 23 in the Chesapeake/Portsmouth Room at Webb University Center. Her first book, "Beyond the Rapist: Title IX and Sexual Violence on U.S. Campuses," was published in 2019 by Oxford University Press.

Harris's speech is intended to start a conversation among faculty members and graduate students about the kinds of sexism that faculty may encounter, said Avi Santo, associate professor and chair of ODU's department of communication & theatre arts, which is presenting the event.

"Without question, sexual harassment and sexism are leading contributors to many women leaving higher education or impacting career choices, including advancement," Santo said. "This is a significant retention issue, and it is a major factor in faculty development. Yet, while most focus is on inappropriate faculty/student relationships, hostile environments for female and LGBTQ faculty are often overlooked."

That's why he's bringing in Harris to discuss her research.

"We can use her talk as a springboard for how we might think about the kinds of training, practices and resources we employ to deal with such issues here at ODU," Santo said.

Kate Lockwood Harris's talk is sponsored by the departments of communication & theatre arts, English, sociology & criminal justice, world languages & cultures, philosophy & religious studies, and women's studies; the Institute for the Humanities; the College of Arts & Letters; the Center for Faculty Development; and the Office of Faculty Diversity & Retention.