Administrators must revise systems, modernize structures to support whistleblowing: Editorials

Opinion

Universities are often reluctant to support whistleblowing activities, but a series of recent articles suggest that a more open approach could help address research’s mental-health crisis. In one article, Shannon Hall highlights the rising issues of bullying, harassment, and mental health issues among researchers. Both Nature editorials additionally discuss the impact that these behaviours have on other researchers if left unchecked and encourage university administrators and governing bodies to modernize their reporting and redress systems. In particular, the articles propose looking to industry for examples of these systems, consider reorganizing their internal processes to address power distribution issues, and adapting funding structures. In an article for Times Higher Education, Mark Geoghegan emphasizes the need for these changed systems by highlighting four stories of researchers who blew the whistle on others at their institution at the cost of their personal and professional wellbeing.

Nature | Nature (Hall) | Times Higher Education