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Thank-you for sharing your story. It's a disgrace that academic bullies manage to continue their abuse for so long because students aren't believed, or what they endure is apparently an acceptable tradeoff for Nature and Science papers. https://twitter.com/LoneRangifer/status/1295295226743947265
Some further thoughts on academic bullying and emotional abuse 1/n
BELIEVE STUDENTS.
Just because you've had good interactions with someone, or you've never observed or heard of the issue previously, doesn't mean it doesn't exist 2/n
Just because you've had good interactions with someone, or you've never observed or heard of the issue previously, doesn't mean it doesn't exist 2/n
Bullies rely on secrecy and work hard to ensure their abuse is unobservable to others. They also seek to isolate their victims from others, so they are less likely seek support from those experiencing similar issues 3/n
Abusers will gaslight victims so they begin to doubt their own reality. Particular events can appear insignificant in isolation but cumulatively build up to a pattern of behaviour 4/n
Abusers will also sometimes use triangulation to validate their attacks, e.g "Everyone says you don't work hard enough" or "Dr X tells me...". The other person in the "triangle" is either vague or someone you can't or won't reasonably be able to talk to easily 5/n
One of the worst things in academia that enables this behaviour to continue the "churn" of students and staff through labs/universities. It's hard for new people to know who to trust or connect with for help 6/n
And also, if it's known a person is problematic and they're a "star", and you're junior/untenured, there's obviously a power imbalance and potential backlash if someone tries to formally complain or informally warn new students/staff 7/n
Abusers will also sometimes try to overcompensate or pre-empt criticism by being nominated for or winning awards for student supervision/mentoring. They also often actually believe they're good mentors. 8/n
This becomes easier for them to believe when there are some students/staff who have negative experiences, and others positive. Like the black sheep/golden child dynamic in families with narcissistic parents 9/n
I have used the grey rock method in the past and found it ultimately helpful, but struggled with initially as I value honesty and hated having to pretend. But it can work, and can save some pain 10/n https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.psychologytoday.com/au/blog/toxic-relationships/201911/the-price-and-payoff-gray-rock-strategy%3famp
These are just some things I've unfortunately had to learn myself due to experiencing emotional abuse at different times of my life, partly at work and partly from a parent. I'm not a psychologist. But I am here if you need to reach out. 11/n
I am sorry to anyone reading this who had experienced abuse or bullying in academia. YOU are NOT the problem. THEY are. YOU are amazing and strong and worthy. 12/n
I don't mean this to sound condescending, but please do make use of your university's (often free) counselling services. I know they're not always great 
And it can take a while to find a good private therapist, and it's expensive even after Medicare rebate. 13/n
And it can take a while to find a good private therapist, and it's expensive even after Medicare rebate. 13/n
Finally, keep a diary.
You might not be able to use it for years, once the bully has finally gotten complacent, stuffed up and it becomes obvious to everyone they're a problem. Your records will make a difference. /fin 14/14
You might not be able to use it for years, once the bully has finally gotten complacent, stuffed up and it becomes obvious to everyone they're a problem. Your records will make a difference. /fin 14/14
