Threats and Hate against Representatives of Academia
In recent years, a number of cases of hate speech and threats against researchers in Sweden have been highlighted in the media and in higher education institutions.
Hatred and threats against those working with, or in other ways contributing to, the democratic dialogue is increasingly becoming a widespread problem in our time. The emergence of social media has increased opportunities to engage in and interact with others involved in public debate. This has also led to a higher risk of becoming the victim of threats and hate. However, threats do not only come from outside. In recent years, there have been a number of reports of researchers and teachers in higher education being victimised by colleagues and students. It is not only in the context of external research communication that risk awareness is needed.
Survey study
During 2021-2024, the Swedish Secretariat for Gender Research mapped and analysed the prevalence and consequences of hatred and threats directed at those working in higher education. A survey was conducted in collaboration with the Swedish Association of University Teachers and Researchers (SULF) and the Association of Swedish Higher Education Institutions (SUHF).
The study is based on a questionnaire sent to members of SULF, which identified the proportion of respondents who have been victimised, what they are victimised by, the subjects they represent, the consequences for the victims, and the support they have received.
The aim of the study has been to improve prevention and support for those who are victimised. The survey is the first of its kind for researchers and university teachers in Sweden. It has been developed in dialogue with the research community, as well as with actors who have conducted similar surveys in related professional groups.
Results
The survey found that 39 per cent of respondents had experienced some form of threat or harassment at some point. 15 per cent of respondents had experienced this at some point in the previous year. The situation that most people associated the victimisation with was online teaching or tutoring. The most commonly perceived perpetrator was a student, and the second most common was a person working in the same institution or unit. The consequences of victimisation and the risk of victimisation are extensive, and mainly consist of respondents refraining from engaging in a particular topic, hesitating to make decisions or refraining from speaking out as a researcher. The survey also shows that many researchers and teachers do not know where to turn for support if they are victimised.
Dialogue and collaboration
Together with stakeholders in the higher education sector and in dialogue with stakeholders from related sectors, the Secretariat works to put the problem of hate and threats on the higher education and research policy agenda. We maintain a continuous dialogue with relevant authorities and ministries, participate in conferences and panel discussions, and organise talks and seminars.
