The management of the Centre for Social Studies (CES) and researcher Bruno Sena Martins decided, on Friday, to terminate their employment relationship by mutual agreement with immediate effect.
In a statement, CES management clarified that both parties agreed that “the appropriate conditions for the continuation of his research work in a calm and productive manner were not in place.”
The CES management continues to recognize the validity and relevance of the conclusions and recommendations contained in the report of the Independent Commission and is committed to developing and implementing an effective policy to prevent and combat all forms of harassment and abuse.
This decision comes a few weeks after CES management informed that an inquiry did not find grounds to initiate a disciplinary process against researcher Bruno Sena Martins, who was mentioned in a chapter of a book with allegations of harassment in academia.
Following the closing of the preliminary inquiry process, which did not result in the initiation of any disciplinary proceedings, researcher Bruno Sena Martins lifted the suspension of holding positions of responsibility and/or institutional representation, which he himself had requested in April 2023, CES of Coimbra stated at the time.
Three researchers from the University of Coimbra’s Centre for Social Studies reported harassment situations in a chapter of the book titled ‘Sexual Misconduct in Academia – Towards an Ethics of Care in the University,’ leading to the suspension of investigators Boaventura de Sousa Santos and Bruno Sena Martins from all positions they held at CES in April 2023.
CES subsequently established an independent commission to investigate the allegations, releasing its report nearly a year later on March 13, 2024, which confirmed the existence of patterns of conduct involving power abuse and harassment by individuals in hierarchically superior positions, without specifying names.
The report revealed that 14 people were reported by 32 complainants, totaling 78 allegations.
