S01E15 -- Respect my Authoritah, Hope for the Best but Plan for the Worst in Graduate School and Teaching.




The Unlikely Academic Podcast, The Real Graduate School Experience! show

Summary: In this episode of the Unlikely Academics Podcast, the cohosts address the very controversial topic of preparing for the unfortunate potential of protecting one’s self from toxic authority and when to file an official complaint. The podcast begins discussing some examples where expectations on the part of faculty, staff, or lab management can result in tension and/or the perception of failure. Dr. Silver discusses his work briefly in university administration and the investigation of university policy violations, and the types of things graduate students and early career academics should be aware of as they pursue their interests. Mr. Coleman and Dr. Silver shared examples of where expectations pushed the line of "appropriate" given the power differential between faculty and student. Dr. Holcombe shared the experience related to a friend whose advisor expected too much, including childcare and treating them as a personal assistant. The co-hosts suggest that as time permits that everyone should familiarize themselves with policies and procedures including faculty handbooks, student handbooks, campus policies, code of conduct policies and others as they relate to student, faculty, and staff expectations. Only then are they prepared should these situations arise. Pardon our South Park joke. :)