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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. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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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!
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