Sociologist Boaventura de Sousa Santos was accused of sexual harassment by at least three researchers at the Center for Social Studies at the University of Coimbra.
The facts were revealed through the publication of an article in the book “Sexual Misconduct in Academia”, which was published this year. There, Sousa Santos is referred to as the “star teacher.” In addition, he realizes that there is another aggressor: “the apprentice”, who would be Bruno Sena Martins.
Although specific names of the perpetrators are not given, the article indicates that “young researchers depend on academic approval to build their careers.” They also point out that there is “intellectual and sexual extractivism.”
The dissemination of the article gave way to new testimonies, such as that of the Brazilian state deputy of Minas Gerais, Bella Gonçalves.
According to the authority, in August 2013 she began her doctorate in Postcolonialism and Global Citizenship at CES with Boaventura de Sousa Santos as a counselor, who invited her to his home to “talk” about work.
“He offered me a drink, which I refused. Then he commented that being close to him would give me many advantages in the academic environment. Then he sat next to me, grabbed my leg and suggested that I could deepen the relationship. At that moment I picked up my things and left very overwhelmed from there,” after that, the deputy commented on the case with other academics. “The general tone was that it was someone untouchable and that any complaint could put my doctorate at risk,” he told Agencia Lusa.
Given the facts reported, the Center for Social Studies, which is linked to the University of Coimbra, announced that it suspended Boaventura de Sousa Santos, who remained as director emeritus, from all his positions, this while the complaints are investigated by an independent commission that the center will create.
Likewise, the Latin American Council of Social Sciences decided to suspend all the activities of Boaventura de Sousa Santos, noting that “in the face of the facts of public notoriety” they reaffirm “their position of zero tolerance and absolute rejection of sexual harassment and stands in solidarity with all the people affected by this form of violence.”
For his part, the sociologist denied the accusations through a public statement.
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