PHD STUDENTS ARE THE SHOE SOLES OF THE PROFESSORS-SUPERVISORS

The mistreatment of PHD students or post-doctoral students by their supervisors or professors is a controversial topic at universities. It has been argued that reasons for the allegations include power relations and imbalances, pressure to publish for professors, and a lack of oversight for professors/supervisors. It is also claimed that some supervisors or professors are merely cruel individuals. The experience of students cannot be underestimated as less exploitative and painful. The professors/ supervisors and general academic staff wield a huge amount of power and influence over students. It can be termed that they have power like a paramount chief or a dictator, or a despot.

The students are always afraid that the professor may destroy their prospects if they do not toe the line. The future relates to passing the PDH, research funding, publications, recommendations, and even graduation timelines. This results in a slave and master relationship. Students are powerless to give their opinions if they are different from the supervisor’s opinion. This covers unfair treatment or perceived unfair treatment. Supervisors are under pressure to publish, source funding, and maintain their academic statuses. These stressful situations from supervisors are directly or indirectly transferred to the PHD students. They sometimes overburden students with academic work or tight schedules.

There are no checks and balances on how supervisors treat their students. Universities are interested in research output and their standing in the academic or university rankings. Some university norms and standards are tough, even though unwritten. It is also assumed that resilience graduates must go through suffering. It builds resilience in students. The no pain, no gain era has long passed; it is just pure barbarism. Students are expected to work far beyond reasonable hours, often on projects unrelated to their dissertations. Professors gain more recognition than the PHD students, and even the monetary rewards go to professors “only”.

The worst kind of abuse is when professors do not provide or provide minimal guidance, delay feedback, or use intimidation tactics. Students feel useless because professors wield the power to recommend the results of the studies. These may cover recommendations and networking through these professors.

The worst power professors have is gatekeeping of any form against students, and it breeds fear. Students are bound to tolerate toxic powerlines from professors.