A HDR Masters student shared a distressing academic experience where, despite excelling in their master's programme, a professor is suspected to have refused to supervise their PhD due to the students refusal to take an experimental gene therapy which was branded as a vaccine at the time. This led to social isolation, professional sabotage, and emotional turmoil, but the student maintained ethical integrity, developed resilience, and advocated for accountability and principled resistance to unjust discrimination in academia. They advised others to uphold self-respect and seek alternative paths and formal recourse when facing similar challenges especially where health is concerned.
Key Points from the Interview
The participant rated their distress level as 9/10, indicating an extremely high level of distress due to the situation which significantly affected their personal and professional life, impacting their livelihood, career prospects, and ability to provide for their family. The participant felt dumbfounded, devastated, and angry immediately after learning about the professor's attitude to their academic prospects. The primary coping mechanism mentioned was the resolve not to commit suicide, highlighting the severity of the emotional toll. The participant felt isolated and unable to talk to anyone about the situation, which compounded the difficulty of navigating the challenge. Ethical principles were identified as a key strength that helped the participant navigate the situation. The participant received limited support from persons, groups, or institutional resource during this time.
Key Learning
The most important lesson learned was to never compromise integrity around health matters, and to always look for alternative ways forward. The participant developed the ability to think coherently while experiencing adverse events and trauma, a significant skill in maintaining mental clarity under duress.
Future Strategy
The participant plans to record all advisory meetings (with consent), maintain moral and ethical integrity, and think independently. They emphasised the importance of holding those who mistreat others accountable and responsible.
Advice for Others
"Conduct yourself with the utmost self-respect and be clear on your ethical principles. Don't compromise your integrity."
Maintain a stance of zero tolerance for discrimination. Always look for other ways forward and believe that there is another way to succeed.
Reflection and Encouragement
The participant recognised their tenacity, reasonableness, and principled intelligence as qualities that were acknowledged by others.
"There's always another way to win, so keep looking for other ways forward and make those who mistreat you fully accountable and responsible."
Reflection and Encouragement
The participant recognised their tenacity, reasonableness, and principled intelligence as qualities that were acknowledged by others under high stakes and immense pressure.