The Executive Committee of the International Astronomical Union, IAU, takes note that a senior astronomer at the University of California at Berkeley, and a member of the IAU, has resigned from his position following an investigation that found that he had violated the school's sexual harassment policies.

The IAU is committed to follow the regulations of the International Council for Science (ICSU) and concurs with the actions undertaken by their Standing Committee on Freedom in the Conduct of Science on non-discrimination and the universality of science.

In particular, it opposes any discrimination or harassment based on such factors as ethnic origin, religion, citizenship, language, political or other opinion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability or age.

The Union therefore deplores the reported behaviour of one of its members, expresses its sympathy to anybody affected and encourages all its members to openly denounce any occurrence of discrimination or harassment.

Participants in IAU-sponsored activities who feel that they may have been subjected to discrimination or harassment, should contact the General Secretary, or one of the IAU Executive Committee members, for advice.

More information

The IAU is the international astronomical organisation that brings together more than 10 000 professional astronomers from almost 100 countries. Its mission is to promote and safeguard the science of astronomy in all its aspects through international cooperation. The IAU also serves as the internationally recognised authority for assigning designations to celestial bodies and the surface features on them. Founded in 1919, the IAU is the world's largest professional body for astronomers.

Links

• Executive Committee Working Group Women in Astronomy

Contacts

Lars Lindberg Christensen
IAU Press Officer
Garching bei München, Germany
Tel: +49 89 320 06 761
Cell: +49 173 38 72 621
Email: lars@eso.org