Katey Alatalo, Heather Flewelling, and their friends had each other’s backs at astronomy conferences. They kept an eye on reputed harassers—sometimes even cautioning others to be careful with certain people—and made sure not to leave each other alone in potentially risky situations.
But then a male astronomer started stalking Flewelling, an astronomical survey researcher at the University of Hawaii’s Institute for Astronomy. “I did not feel safe,” she says. The stalking motivated Flewelling and Alatalo to create a more formal way to protect potential victims of bullying and sexual harassment. In January 2015 at the American Astronomical Society (AAS) meeting in Seattle, they rolled out the Astronomy Allies.
At AAS meetings, the Allies wear big red buttons to identify themselves as safe go-to people for anyone who feels threatened or uncomfortable. People contact them via text, tweet, or email, and “someone with an Allies insignia will find them,” says...
