NSF Investigators Head to Antarctica to Address Sexual Misconduct Allegations

Special agents from the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) watchdog office will be traveling to Antarctica to investigate longstanding allegations of sexual misconduct at U.S. research stations in the region. The visit to McMurdo Station, the largest research hub on the continent, is scheduled from Monday to November 17. The trip aims to prepare for an on-site presence in Antarctica and involves meetings with staff to explain the NSF’s role.

This investigation follows a damning report released by the NSF last year, which documented a culture of harassment and assault within the U.S. Antarctic Program. The report gathered information from 880 current and recent employees, revealing that 59% of women experienced negative incidents of sexual harassment or assault, while 95% knew someone who had been affected by such misconduct within the program. The report also highlighted fears of retaliation that deterred many from reporting incidents.

The NSF initiated the report after receiving years of reports on sexual misconduct. In 2018, allegations surfaced against Boston University geologist David Marchant, who was accused of sexually harassing three women during research expeditions to Antarctica when they were graduate students. As a consequence, Marchant was dismissed from the university.

The U.S. Antarctic Program sends over 3,000 individuals to Antarctica each year, with about one in three being women. In recent months, the NSF’s watchdog office has been addressing complaints remotely, but the upcoming visit signifies a commitment to establishing a stronger physical presence in the region. To enhance sexual assault and harassment prevention and response measures, the NSF has appointed Renée V. Ferranti, formerly the director of the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response program at the Peace Corps, as a new special assistant to the director.

NSF Director Sethuraman Panchanathan emphasized the agency’s dedication to addressing this pervasive problem, stating that they will continue to adapt and intensify efforts with Ferranti’s expertise.