The hidden researcher

Ethical considerations about shadow doctoral students

Outline

• What is it

• The dilemma

• The law

• Pros and cons

Definitions

• Shadow doctoral student (SDS):– A person who works with the same type of work

as as a doctoral student without formal enrolment.

• Alternative: Grey-zone doctoral student

Why do SDS exist?

• The supervisor doesn’t have the funding for the whole PhD period at the start.

• The supervisor/student wants a trial period before commitment.

Magazine of Lund University, 15/11 2013

• Increasing number of shadow doctoral students

• 75% of the doctoral students at the faculty of medicine had been SDS

• 40% of the doctoral students in science and technology SDS

Sydsvenska Dagbladet, 30/9 2008

• ~20 foreign students with small stipends work as SDS

• Cannot formally be enrolled due to too low salary

ERGO, 16/5 2012• Student enrolled in ”Advanced

course”, 60 cr• Payed by stipends• Student:

– I was repeatedly promised to be enrolled as a PhD student

– My course was prolonged from 30 cr to 60 cr

• Researcher: – She did not achieve so much– I kept her because she was nice– No capacity for research

• Another student was hired

UNT, 26/5 2012

• Vice chancellor answers

• There is no room for SDS at UU

• Cannot say anything of the specific case

UNT, 19/9 2013Verdict comes from Universitetskansler-ämbetet:• Cannot say for sure that it was

a ”scam course”• There ”can be suspicion that

the purpose was for other things than to give a master course”

• The department thinks that it has done nothing wrong.

• No consequences for the professor

The situation

• Researcher • Fresh – dependent on results for

future• New position – no previous contact

with students at the University. • Money for only one PhD student

The situation

• After announcing the position and reviewing the applicants, he/she selects the most qualified candidate

• To test the student before hiring, he/she wants to give a “research training course” a few months, paid for by a low stipend

• However, he/she knows that this is not allowed

• Use the grey area or take the high road?

Background

• In 1998 the new postgraduate education reform came into force.

• According to the new legislation, only students that were guaranteed 4 years financing got to be accepted.

• The UU doctoral-student representative made an announcement where he foresaw the genesis of “skuggdoktorander” (shadow doctoral students).

What does the law state?

• “The faculty board is only allowed to enroll applicants that gets employed as doctoral students or have been granted education allowance for doctoral studies. The faculty board is, however, allowed to enroll applicants that have other financing if ‘…’ financing can be secured during the entire education ‘…’.” (Chap. 9, § 3, högskoleförordningen)

• There is currently no legal possibility to take on a doctoral student “on trial”.

Why do different rules apply to doctoral students compared to employed?

• According to Swedish law, a trial period of employment of six months is allowed. (The unions may have other legislations.)

• Högskoleverket (National Agency for Higher Education) states, the employment as a doctoral student is only time-limited, the aim is to accomplish the studies and get a degree, not to receive normal employment security.

What values are at conflict?

Career/rights of the studentvs Career opportunities/future for the researcher

More successful recruitments (better quality/less waste) vs Misuse and exploitation of students

Supervisor

Chance to evaluate student before committing

Can give a chance to unknown students

Possible to extend project time

Supervisor

Long process

Uncertainty – difficult to plan long term

Might miss out on students unwilling to accept conditions

Chance to test project and working with supervisor

Other skills than those measurable on paper can be considered

PhD student

No guarantee of acceptance

What is the criteria for acceptable test period? - potential misusage

Long process

Uncertain legal status, unsecure financial situation, no social benefits

Constant pressure to prove yourself

PhD student

Society

Bring something that is done today into the light

Value for research money

Increased movability

Society

Clear rules to avoid misuse and mistreatment

Violates the principle of higher education

Solutions?

Could be acceptable in isolated cases but difficult to allow systematically – opportunities for misuses large

Formalization of trial period with strict criteria.

In the end potential for misuse to large. Stay with current system and apply it!