Parity Movement

Academic Parity is addressing academic bullying, mobbing, abusive supervision, harassment, and discrimination at their roots to ensure all bright minds can excel and progress.

Together we can make academia a safe and accepting environment for everyone.

What is Academic Parity?

The Academic Parity Movement is a non-profit organization, aiming to uproot academic bullying, discrimination and violence by empowering students, postdocs, and early career academics (including junior faculties) themselves with the tools to defend their most basic rights. Historically, minorities such as women, people of color, and immigrants have been disproportionately devastated by the magnified societal prejudices and pressures that are only exacerbated in the lab environment. Together we must take a stand to make the academic world an equitable, accepting, and safe environment.

Progress.

Keep institutions accountable for ensuring students have safe environments in which to study and grow.

Progress.

Keep institutions accountable for ensuring students have safe environments in which to study and grow.

Support.

Provide a legal pathway for targets to pursue their rights following incidents of discrimination, violence and bullying.

Support.

Provide a legal pathway for targets to pursue their rights following incidents of discrimination, violence and bullying.

Research.

Compile data into a comprehensive base for further research.

Research.

Compile data into a comprehensive base for further research.

Meet our Team

Morteza Mahmoudi

Morteza Mahmoudi, PhD

Co-Founder & Director

Morteza Mahmoudi, PhD, is an Associate Professor of Radiology and Precision Health Program at Michigan State University (MSU). Prior to coming MSU, he was an Assistant Professor at Harvard Medical School. 

His research is focused on investigating i) overlooked factors in nanomedicine and ii) academic bullying and harassment.
Read more about him and the development of the APM in a Nature piece published in 2024: 
 
Saya Ameli Hajebi

Saya Ameli Hajebi

Co-Founder and Director

Saya Ameli Hajebi is an artist, graphic designer, and environmental activist. She is currently a national Spokesperson, and local media lead for the Sunrise Movement. She has interviewed with The GuardianAl JazeeraBBC, and Buzzfeed News to raise awareness about the climate crisis and represent the Sunrise Movement. 

She hopes to incorporate activism and social change in academia, and make a safe learning environment for all with the Academic Parity movement.

Sherry Moss

Sherry Moss, PhD

Director

Sherry Moss, PhD, is currently Professor of Organizational Studies in the School of Business at Wake Forest University. Her research interests include leadership, feedback, abusive supervision, multiple job holding, authenticity and meaningful work. She has also served as the Director of the Full Time MBA Program at Wake Forest and as the Area Chair for the Management Faculty.

Her research has been published in prestigious academic journals such as Journal of Applied PsychologyAdministrative Science QuarterlyJournal of Organizational BehaviorAcademy of Management JournalJournal of ManagementOrganizational Behavior and Human Decision ProcessesAcademy of Management Executive, and Nature. Her most impactful research has been about abusive supervision (bully bosses).