ETH Zurich has begun the process to dismiss a professor accused of bullying, ScienceInsider reports.
The existence of allegations against Marcella Carollo, an astronomy professor there, was reported last year by a Swiss newspaper, which, according to ScienceInsider, said the university had disregarded complaints made about Carollo for more than 10 years. It adds that ETH Zurich disbanded last year the Institute for Astronomy where she worked and where her husband was director.
An independent investigation has now confirmed instances of professional misconduct and has recommended her dismissal, according to an ETH Zurich press release. It adds that the university has now opened dismissal proceedings and that the ultimate decision rests with the ETH board.
"The final report confirms this is a case of unacceptable behavior which we do not tolerate," ETH President Lino Guzzella says in a statement.
In a statement to ScienceInsider, Carollo says she will defend herself against dismissal. She also says she was targeted by a student whose work she found unsatisfactory and that the university has not taken steps like this against male professors who had been subjects of investigations.