Things you don't say out loud in academia [9 open secrets]

Summary

The speaker highlights unspoken truths in academia, addressing the politics of academic publishing and career progression. They discuss how researchers often include names on papers without meaningful contributions due to institutional expectations and networking, how non-reproducible results are hidden, and the trend of selecting research applications based on popularity rather than merit. The speaker also touches on the difficulty of job retention for early-career academics, the challenge of failing students, and how universities prioritize income-generating academics. Despite these realities, openly discussing such issues is frowned upon.

Takeaways

• 📄 **Unspoken Contribution**: Academics often add names to papers for minor contributions or grant connections, but won't admit to not contributing.
• 🏫 **Institutional Loyalty**: Negative comments about one's university or its shortcomings are taboo and can lead to repercussions.
• 🤫 **Secret Successes**: Some academics may not deserve their positions based on current competition but won't admit their success involves luck.
• 🔬 **Reproducibility Issues**: There are many non-reproducible results published; academics won't admit their work can't be reproduced.
• 🏅 **Star Scientists**: Including well-known names on papers can increase the chances of acceptance, but the real contribution of these individuals is often unspoken.
• 💼 **Administrative Favors**: Successful academics who bring in funding are often given leeway in their administrative duties.
• 🎓 **Job Market Silence**: Academics won't warn students about poor job prospects in their field to avoid demotivating them.
• 📉 **Grade Inflation**: It's difficult to fail students as universities prioritize customer satisfaction over academic rigor.
• 📈 **Trend Chasing**: Academics may include trendy applications in their papers to increase the likelihood of publication, even if those applications are not viable.
• 🤝 **Name Game**: Adding prestigious names to papers can be a strategic move for acceptance in peer-reviewed journals, but this is not openly discussed.

Q & A

What is the 'game' in academia when it comes to authorship on papers?

The 'game' in academia refers to the practice of including the names of supervisors or those higher up on the hierarchy on papers, even if they have contributed minimally, as a form of reciprocation or networking that can benefit one's career and H-index.

Why do academics avoid admitting they did nothing for a paper they are listed on?

Academics avoid admitting they did nothing for a paper because it could negatively impact their reputation and career progression. It is seen as part of the unspoken rules of academic success and networking.

What is the implication of an academic saying their university has shortcomings?

Saying a university has shortcomings can lead to repercussions such as job loss or damage to one's professional standing, as institutions are protective of their brand and reputation.

Why do academics often not disclose the true job market situation to students?

Academics may not disclose the true job market situation to students to avoid discouraging them or causing panic. It is often seen as a responsibility to maintain a positive outlook and not to influence students' educational choices negatively.

How does the competitive nature of academia affect the likelihood of tenured professors getting rehired?

The competitive nature of academia means that many tenured professors might not get rehired if they had to reapply for their positions based on current standards and competition, suggesting that luck and timing also play a role in academic careers.

What is the issue with non-reproducible results in academic papers?

Non-reproducible results in academic papers are a problem because they can mislead the scientific community and waste resources. However, some academics might ignore this issue to get their work published, hiding the lack of reproducibility in complex language and statistics.

Why do universities sometimes allow certain academics to bypass standard procedures?

Universities may allow certain academics to bypass standard procedures because these individuals bring in significant funding and publications, which are highly valued by the institution.

What is the impact of failing students on the academic institution?

Failing students can be seen as a failure on the part of the academic institution, especially if students are considered customers. This can lead to institutions providing multiple opportunities for students to pass, to avoid the negative implications of failing a paying customer.

How does adding well-known academics' names to papers influence their acceptance in peer-reviewed journals?

Adding well-known academics' names to papers can increase the likelihood of acceptance in peer-reviewed journals due to the reputation and prestige associated with those names, which can introduce bias in the peer-review process.

Why do academics mention trendy applications in their papers?

Academics mention trendy applications in their papers to capture the interest of editors and reviewers, increasing the chances of their paper being accepted and reviewed, even if the application might not be viable or well-researched.

What are some of the unspoken truths in academia that the speaker believes should be openly discussed?

The speaker believes that unspoken truths in academia include the realities of authorship contributions, job market transparency, the impact of reputation on paper acceptance, and the pressure to pass students, among others. They argue that discussing these issues openly could lead to more honest and effective academic practices.