The University of Eastern Finland strongly condemns social media harassment and intimidation of researchers. We consider messages that subject our researchers to inappropriate criticism and public targeting and shaming on social media to be irresponsible.
Every researcher has the freedom to choose their topic of research. Research-based knowledge can be freely criticised, and research funding can be discussed, but a good discussion is based on appropriate and constructive comments. Criticism of a researcher’s persona is not part of a good discussion culture and may also lead to a report of an offence.
The university will support its researchers in cases of social media harassment. If you as a researcher experience social media harassment, please do not hesitate to contact the head of your school, department or institute. In cases of harassment, the university’s human resources administration will provide occupational safety and health support to its researchers.
If social media harassment involves intimidation or defamation, the researcher should not hesitate to contact the university’s legal services.
For further information, please contact:
Jukka Mönkkönen, Rector, University of Eastern Finland, jukka.monkkonen@uef.fi