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Academic Bullying

Updated: Jan 29

Academic bullying is persistent, hostile behavior by a professor, peer, or administrator that creates a toxic environment. It can take many forms, from verbal abuse and intimidation to exclusion and humiliation. Academic bullying is not only emotionally damaging but can also hinder academic and career progress.


Examples of Academic Bullying

  • Verbal Abuse: Public or private criticizing, belittling, or constant negative remarks.

  • Emotional Abuse: Public or private humiliation, gaslighting, persistent criticism designed to erode confidence.

  • Intimidation: Using threats of poor grades, poor evaluations, dismissal, or exclusion from projects without reason or process to assert control.

  • Defamation: Spreading false information or rumors.

  • Unrealistic Expectations: Assigning excessive workloads without reasonable deadlines.

  • Moving the Goal Post: Assigning self-contradictory or confusing work to deliberately set up failure.

  • Mobbing: Ganging up behavior, in which bullies coordinate hostile behavior toward the target.

  • Sabotage: Blocking access to necessary resources or opportunities.

  • Exclusion: Deliberately isolating from research groups, discussions, or events.


The Impact of Academic Bullying

Academic bullying can have profound effects, including:

  • Increased stress, anxiety, and depression.

  • Reduced confidence and academic performance.

  • Difficulty forming professional relationships or pursuing career opportunities.

  • Feelings of shame, isolation, self-doubt, and even suicidal ideation.

  • Staff turnover.

  • Career rethinks.

  • Exiting prior to degree completion.


How to Recognize Academic Bullying

Ask yourself these questions:

  1. Do I feel consistently belittled or humiliated by someone in an academic setting?

  2. Have I been excluded from opportunities without explanation?

  3. Am I afraid to speak up because of potential retaliation?

  4. Do I feel pressured to comply with unreasonable demands?


If the answer is “yes” to any of these, you may be experiencing academic bullying.



What Can You Do?

  1. Document Everything: Keep detailed records of incidents, including dates, times, and witnesses. If you at any point in time feel unsafe, you are permitted by law to record the conversation. Check your university's privacy policy beforehand.

  2. Gray Rocking: Keep all communications to bare minimum. Bullies thrive on creating conflict and eliciting a reaction (that they can potentially use against use).

  3. Seek Support: Reach out to trusted peers, mentors, or counselors.

  4. Know Your Rights: Familiarize yourself with university policies on harassment and bullying.

  5. Report the Bullying: While you can go to your department chair as a first step, bear in mind that each stakeholder in the university has an agenda. If the chair is unresponsive, this is a sign that the agenda is to manage the department's reputation or "keep the peace" at all costs. You can escalate by reporting to institutional channels like Title IX offices, ombuds offices, or HR departments. This will require persistence and documentation. While ombuds are a confidential "thought partner" resource, they have no authority. And Title IX offices and HR departments will require evidence in order to "investigate" fairly. If you choose to report the bullying, be sure to keep a close watch for retaliation. If you feel you are being retaliated against, once again, document everything, and file additional reports if you feel safe doing so.

  6. File an EEOC Complaint: If you feel that you are being bullied due to your status as a protected class, and you are an employee of the university, you can file an EEOC complaint. This will open the door to settlement negotiations, which are necessary before you can file a lawsuit.

  7. Find Allies: Connect with student organizations or advocacy groups for additional support.



Take Action


Academic bullying is not acceptable, and you don’t have to endure it alone. By recognizing the signs and taking steps to protect yourself, you can begin to reclaim your academic experience. Remember: you have the right to work and learn in an environment free from harassment and hostility.



Additional Information


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