ABSTRACT
Unethical and inappropriate behaviors/actions, that is, academic bullying, in higher education is a rapidly growing and intersectional issue that affects students, postdocs, and researchers of all backgrounds and experiences. To truly create a safe environment in academia, all stakeholders including the scientific community, funding agencies, legislators, psychologists, institutions, and the public must address this problem in an integrated manner. Although academic bullying in higher education constitutes a small portion of workplace bullying, it may have additional or different definitions that are unique to the academic culture and environment. A meta-analysis on the global incidence of academic bullying and its consequences also suggests that the public should be considered a powerful, yet underutilized, player in academic bullying. Public awareness may also be helpful in raising questions to legislators of various countries considering the limited available policy and regulatory solutions to the issue of academic bullying.
