#MeToo and Academia: An Analysis of the Perceptions of Portuguese Women Professors and Researchers

Abstract

The #MeToo movement sparked international debates about sexual harassment, including within academia. In Portugal, despite increased media attention in recent years, academic research on the topic remains limited, particularly regarding the perceptions of researchers and professors. This article sought to explore the views of women academics on #MeToo. Eighteen individual semi-structured interviews were conducted. Thematic analysis revealed diverse and heterogeneous discourses about the movement: although it was seen as a catalyst for raising awareness and increasing the visibility of sexual harassment, criticisms and perceived limitations of the movement were also identified.