in the final analysis


Volume 71

Number 6

June 2019

James J. Robinson
Executive Director

JO  

“Within TMS, we 

have created 

mechanisms 

to address 

harassment 

situations, and we 

are committed to 

act quickly when 

made aware 

that there is an 

incident.”

Oftentimes when I write In the Final Analysis, I worry that my premises, references, and 
word play may be too “American” for many readers. Relevant topic selection is another 
challenge in addressing a global audience. Is there anything about which I could write that 
would be meaningful to our worldwide reader base? Not many things: perhaps such universals 
as the importance of professional integrity in science and engineering, the value of mentorship, 
the power of innovation in problem solving, the criticality of resource optimization, and, 
unfortunately, the need to be more proactive in acting to prevent harassment in the community. 

The emergence of the “Me Too” movement almost two years ago brought light to long-
hidden harassment issues, partly via social media and partly by the number of famous 
people being revealed as having behaved in repulsive ways in the shadows of what had been 
illustrious careers. The perturbation was global. For example, Wikipedia states that the social 
media hashtag #MeToo trended in at least 85 countries and in many languages. Harassment 
knows no international boundaries.

The association community also knows no international boundaries. Indeed, we in the 

dozens of countries at events where attendees almost universally comport themselves with 
professionalism, curiosity, enthusiasm, consideration, and mutual respect. There can be 
times, however, when someone crosses a line—saying, doing, or presenting something that 
others experience as harassing. Perhaps an attendee is not the focus of the bad behavior him 

situations, and we are committed to act quickly when made aware that there is an incident.

ethical conduct, climate, and culture in the science, technology, engineering, medicine, and 

resources and guidance to address sexual harassment, in all of its forms, in societies’ own 

drain the safe harbors for harassers.

safe, inclusive, and welcoming environment and an experience that embraces the richness 
of diversity where all participants may exchange ideas, learn, network, and socialize in the 

code describes expected behavior by event participants, characterizes unacceptable behavior, 

when handling reports of unacceptable behavior. 
The thumbnail version: treat each other with respect; if you experience harassment or 

see someone being harassed, tell us; we will work hard to investigate promptly and fairly. 
If someone is a bad actor, the behavior will have to change immediately or he or she will be 
removed from the event and potentially denied access to future ones. 

“If you see harassment happening, speak up. Being harassed is terrible;  

—Celeste Ng

JOM, Vol. 71, No. 6, 2019

https://doi.org/10.1007/s11837-019-03500-0
Ó 2019 The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society

1905


	in the final analysis