Hibbs Researching Book In Sweden On Medical Leave

For months after Harvard last February released a terse, 97-word statement announcing the resignation of Professor of Government Douglas A. Hibbs Jr. in the wake of two sexual harassment charges, numerous questions about the case have gone unanswered.

Among them: Where did Hibbs go?

Yesterday, The Crimson found out that the 40-year-old Hibbs is a visiting scholar working at Goteborg University in Goteborg, Sweden. In a telephone interview, the quantitative political scientist said he has been at Goteborg for two months and is working on a book about the distribution of income in the Swedish welfare state.

Hibbs said he remains on a medical leave of absence, which he requested, and Harvard granted, in the wake of the December 1984 sexual harassment complaint. He said it is not yet decided how long he will remain on leave.

A clerk in the University payroll department confirmed that Hibbs remains on Harvard's payroll.

Under an agreement between Hibbs and Harvard, the professor's resignation is effective at the end of the leave, according to the February statement. Apart from the brief statement, the University has refused to comment about the case to the media.

Hibbs declined comment on potential job opportunities in the United States or elsewhere. But he said he and his wife, Eva H. Bernbro-Hibbs, are considering returning to Berlin in the spring. Hibbs spent last spring working in Berlin. He said he has not yet thought about whether to return to the United States.