The article reflects on a PhD student's experiences at Durham University, addressing the common concerns of aspiring academics about success. While many focus on achieving positions and publications, the author argues that genuine success is more profound, often overlooked, and requires kindness in a competitive and toxic academic environment. The student emphasizes the need to redefine success beyond conventional metrics, advocating for collaboration and compassion instead of corruption in academia, even amidst the pressures and challenges faced in the field.
The world can be a nasty place...We don't have to fall from grace. Put down the weapons you fight with and kill 'em with kindness.
Many scholars adopt a Hobbesian view of academia, where the natural state is one of competition: homo homini lupus, 'man is a wolf to man'.
Even if this approach secures the coveted position, I refuse to call it genuine success. There is more to life than a fancy job title.
I always highlight the often-overlooked need to be kind, as it's essential for achieving true success in academia.
Collection
[
|
...
]