News

Media Lab faculty V. Michael Bove Jr. terminated by MIT

Former Media Lab researcher was found to violate sexual harassment policy

V. Michael Bove Jr. ’83, former head of the Object-Based Media Group at the Media Lab, was terminated from employment last week, following the determination that he violated MIT’s sexual harassment policy.

Deb Roy PhD ’99, executive director of the Media Lab, wrote in an email to the Media Lab community Sept. 27 that Bove “is no longer employed at MIT,” with Bove’s last day of employment being Sept. 26.

In an email to the Media Lab community Oct. 3, Bove wrote, “Following allegations that I acted in a harassing or otherwise unwelcome manner toward some other members of the community, I am no longer at the Media Lab. I very much regret inappropriate and indefensible actions or words by which I have caused pain or discomfort to any of the remarkable, dedicated professionals in the lab, and offer my sincerest apologies.”

According to Bove’s email, he chose to break confidentiality regarding the case to prevent rumors about the “scholarly integrity” of his former students.

In an email statement to The Tech, Roy wrote, “Media Lab leadership takes seriously our responsibility to create a safer, fairer, more transparent, and more inclusive environment for our community.” 

All media lab faculty and research groups have chosen to receive training on promoting respectful and inclusive group culture, Roy wrote. Additionally, Media Lab leadership is creating working groups to suggest improvements in “five pillars — governance, funding, culture, research, and student-faculty relations.”

Roy wrote that projects from the Object-Based Media Group will remain in the Media Lab, and a transition plan will be formed together with students, staff, and faculty.

Bove was formerly on the advisory board of The Tech. He has resigned from that position effective Oct. 8, according to an emailed statement from Áron Ricardo Perez-Lopez ’20, publisher of The Tech.

MIT’s Violence Prevention & Response (VPR) is a confidential, on-campus resource for issues pertaining to sexual assault, stalking, sexual harassment and domestic/dating violence. VPR can be reached at any time on their 24/7 hotline: (617) 253-2300. For information about MIT’s Title IX reporting options and procedures please contact the Title IX and Bias Response Office at titleix@mit.edu or visit titleix.mit.edu.