Dear all,
Everyone of us would have come across bullying of any form in scientific research. We may have met them during our preliminary researches, or during doctoral research or while working for an organization. Some straightaway harass us while some "self proclaimed experts" keep harassing us with their "expert knowledge", which half the time is not found to be accurate. Of late, in scientific platforms such as Research gate, there happen to be bullies whose approaches are very condescending. The purpose of such forums are to enable researchers all over the world to help one another by providing advises. In the ever-growing field of science, scenarios keep changing frequently, and so do methodologies and approaches. Every researcher thinks twice before he offers an advise to another; however discernful people trying to bully other researchers is a point of concern. Rg bullying is just another example. Ignoring such bullies, further makes them fall under the impression that they are experts of their domain. In general, how do we deal with such people?
Navnit - this is a 'time-long' predicament you are highlighting. Many institutions 'tolerate' this type of behaviour with senior academics. In my experience, the best way of dealing with it is approaching 'fairer' senior academics to highlight the issue to the perpetrators in question. They are more likely to listen to similarly-placed academics (or more senior) than junior academics. Failing that - I then advise 'word-of-mouth' warnings to more vulnerable junior colleagues. Once the the word gets around - then the academics in question can soon find themselves with a shortage of research assistants, PhD students etc. This can then lead to a change in behaviour.
I would, however, ask what you mean by 'harassing' with expert knowledge? I find that the main reason that potential PhD students, research assistants approach me is because of my 'expert knowledge'. Of course, how one 'imposes' that knowledge can be questionable - but I like to think that my students have done their homework and know that I don't impose my knowledge. In fact, I much prefer students to find things out for themselves - with just a bit of guidance here and there.
Dear Prof. Dean Whitehead,
Thank you so much for that thought-provoking yet practical suggestion, sir. It indeed could be dealt by approaching academics of the similar position. And yes sir, as rightly pointed out by you, word-of-mouth has a say in such cases; I have observed similar scenario with the mentors' credibility being lost after such news start making rounds.
Sir, apologies if the word "expert knowledge" had got conveyed in the wrong sense. Teaching members/mentors with expertise in their domain, I have observed, have always lent a helping hand to novice researchers, unlike the self-proclaimed, prejudiced "subject experts"'. As young researchers, we are grateful to them. I had written the word "expert knowledge" under quotes to refer to the over-exaggerated self proclamations (they call themselves subject experts with expert knowledge) made by the bullies; They are so condescending that they belittle a researcher and make him/her feel worthless. Infact, when verified later, their scientific arguments would actually turn out to be inaccurate (most of the time).
Sir, thank you for offering suggestions and participating in this discussion.
There are bullies at all levels in academia and one has to learn to live with then, and ignore them when possible. I have faced bullying while I was a student and also at work. I still remember when early into my PhD, my supervisor advised me to consult a senior professor. She read my proposal and literally threw it on my face claiming that it was worthless, childish and would not even find a sentence out of it printed even in a crappy journal.I hastily retreated and never talked about my work to her after that. I went ahead with my proposal (Both my supervisors backed me) and now after a PhD under my belt and two top class publications from that 'crap' thesis later, I wonder what would have happened if I had taken her rebuke to my heart, become demoralized and called it quits. Fortunately, I didn't. I guess bullies are best ignored since they are weak and suffer from inferiority complex while believing that they are superior to everyone.
Dear Noman,
Very well said !! Your anecdote for sure will be an inspiration to the present breed of doctoral students. Your philosophy of the bullies suffering from inferiority complex and living in an inflated ego is spot on. Thanks for the inputs.
Dear @Sajda Taha Mahmood,
Yes you are right. Bullies are exposed; however, young researchers are at threat, because of such bullies.
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