Nobody is safe from accountability when it comes to the #MeToo movement, and that includes herpetologists.

Take Richard Vogt, a prominent herpetologist who studies turtles, for example.  He used photos of scantily clad women doing field work during an acceptance presentation last week for a major award, and the backlash was swift.

[Yes, I know that’s a tortoise up top, but it makes a good point.]

At the time, an audiovisual organiser felt compelled to put blue censorship boxes over parts of the women’s bodies, and the Herpetologists’ League has since rescinded the award following the outcry.

Below from Quartz:

“Many members of all genders took strong offense to the images that were presented and to the awarding of this distinction to someone whose extremely inappropriate behavior toward other attendees has been long known,” the league said in a statement on Sunday, according to the New York Times. “We acknowledge that scientific achievement does not excuse misconduct in the profession at any level.”

Scientists in the field pointed out that Vogt’s [above] reputation for sexually inappropriate comments and behavior was well known, including women who said they had been warned to avoid him.

Via Motherboard:

“It’s just a really sleazy situation that undermines the comfort, the success and the importance of a diverse group of scientists here at the conference,” Dr. Emily Taylor, a herpetologist and Associate Professor at California Polytechnic State University who attended the conference, told Motherboard. “When we do field work in tropical areas, it’s often times very hot so people might be wearing like a sports bra or a bikini or something. It’s not a big deal,” but added that Vogt “showed these photos in an explicitly suggestive way.”

The man clearly has a history:

I try and stay away from anything associated with the word ‘herpe’, to be frank.

How’s this for size – not from Vogt himself, but another professor:

Serious lack of big dick energy right there.

Vogt did offer a rebuttal:

[He] defended his presentation in an email to the Times on Monday, saying that there was “nothing sexual or indecent about the photos,” and that he is “very sad that this has happened,” adding that he has “been a part of this community for 54 years.”

Why is it so hard to expect men in positions of power to not be dickheads?

Episode 39 845 next week.

[sources:quartz&motherboard]