Placing Kindness and Humanity at the Centre of Doing Science
By Imogen R. Coe, Ph.D.
Content Warning: This blog post includes descriptions of sexual harassment by a co-worker. Some readers may find this content upsetting or triggering. Please use your discretion in choosing whether to read on, and prioritize your well-being. If you need a break when reading, you can visit our Virtual Self-Care Room.
My Journey in Science
Over 30 years ago, I came to Canada as an international student to pursue graduate studies in the sciences. I was fascinated by biology and eager to experience life in a new country. At that time, international students were seen as enriching contributors to academic communities, and despite never having visited Canada or knowing anyone here, I was excited to arrive.
After completing my PhD at the University of Victoria, my supervisor encouraged me to continue training in one of the world’s top research centres. I chose the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), drawn by its reputation and San Francisco's vibrant culture.
However, my excitement at the enriched research setting soon became impacted by the unpleasant and unwanted attention of a co-worker who developed an obsessive interest in me, repeatedly asking me out and sharing explicit, violent sexual fantasies about me with others in the research institute. Despite reporting this behaviour, I was told I had “misunderstood” or should “confront” the person directly. Responses were defensive and victim-blaming, and there was no sense that these behaviours might reflect a toxic workplace rather than a culture of care (as is often described in work on creating inclusive, supportive environments in STEM).
I no longer felt safe working alone, and the experience took both personal and professional tolls. I could no longer work comfortably or offer comments freely. The failure of leadership to create a supportive work environment and, yes, kind one, resulted in my being able to do less, offer less, and achieve less. I was fortunate to rebuild my career, combining science with advocacy for social justice and safer, more inclusive STEM environments. But many others have not been so lucky.
The Hidden Cost of Unsafe STEM Spaces
Over the past 30 years, I’ve heard from countless individuals, students, researchers, and educators who’ve faced unsafe or exclusionary environments in science and engineering. They describe acts of casual cruelty, frequent micro-aggressions and persistent chilly climates. These environments have resulted in some leaving the field entirely; others stayed silent to survive but describe the exhaustion and mental toll they have suffered. No one can work well in these types of settings, let alone do their best possible work. Science succeeds when people thrive. And people thrive because environments support and care about them.
We must acknowledge that:
STEM spaces are not always safe, especially for those from marginalized communities.
Harassment and exclusion limit people's ability to do their best work, their most excellent science and ultimately can drive talented people away from science.
Leadership accountability is essential for meaningful cultural change, ensuring workplaces are cultures of care where everyone can thrive and do the best science.
Creating Inclusive and Humane Scientific Cultures
To build better science spaces, we need to:
Collect and share data on inequity and harassment in STEM.
Develop evidence-informed, data-driven solutions.
Engage and hold accountable leaders who will act to create inclusive, respectful environments.
Center kindness and humanity in how we do science.
Scientists are not emotionless robots. It is entirely possible, and necessary. to combine rigorous inquiry with compassion, empathy, and respect.
Learning from Leaders: Kindness in Science
Recently, I listened to an interview with British chemist Dr. Carol Robinson, the recent President of the Royal Society of Chemistry. Her unconventional path to success was marked by perseverance in the face of misogyny.
Dr. Robinson founded the Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery, whose acronym, KIND, is deliberate. She reminds us that kindness can and should go hand-in-hand with scientific excellence.
Moving Forward
To ensure all community members in STEM can thrive and flourish, we must:
Prioritize kindness alongside excellence.
Hold institutions and leaders accountable.
Foster inclusive spaces where curiosity and humanity coexist.
Science thrives when people feel safe, valued, and inspired. Let’s make kindness part of the scientific method.