Name It to Tame It: A Thematic Synthesis of Sexual Academic Transgressions Among Faculty Members

Sexual transgression —any attitude, behavior, or condition that violates social norms and expectations —particularly in the form of sexual harassment in higher education, is a topic of ongoing public debate. When committed by a faculty member, a trusted figure with significant authority and autonomy over students, sexual harassment can have serious societal consequences. However, defining and addressing sexual harassment re mains challenging due to the lack of uniformity in its definition, which hinders the formulation of strict policies and laws. Having the proper language to name an incident as sexual harassment enables and empowers individuals to take action. Through a thematic synthesis, we aimed to bring attention to various types of sexual academic transgressions committed by faculty members to enable policymakers, legislators, and victims to properly address these transgressions and implement social control measures. Th is research contributes to the literature by presenting a thematic model and tables that delineate legally actionable sexual harassment, the means through which such behaviors occur, and the muddled professional boundaries that create conditions for these misconducts. Policymakers and legislators can use these themes and sub -themes to gain a broader and deeper understanding of faculty -perpetrated sexual harassment and identify areas requiring immediate action or reconsideration. Shalaleh Meraji Oskuie Abbas Abbaspour * Ali Delavar Abbas Toloie Eshlaghy