PhD grad rejects diploma(thevarsity.ca)
thevarsity.ca
PhD grad rejects diploma
http://thevarsity.ca/articles/38377
12 comments
It's an open secret that industry has always had an upper hand w.r.t funding for PhD's, and post recession, more-so, I guess. Rejecting his PhD- This guy either has plenty of guts, or is nuts. In an age where 'protests', or 'awareness campaign' for most genuine issues translates to sexualization of some kind (breast cancer awareness on FB, PETA etc ) to get the minimum possible traction- - his rejection of a hard-earned PhD puts him on really high pedastal.
Hope his rejection of phd is truly for a valid cause- wish him the best!
Refusing to accept a piece of paper doesn't mean that he doesn't have a PhD. What he did was a stunt, nothing more.
Theatrics and stunts, as you put them, can help to raise awareness for causes. Even if he is not quite harmed by his actions, that does not mean that they were for nought. I imagine many who read this article or otherwise heard about this story, such as myself, were unaware of the overall issues that are being protested against.
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I don't see this making much of an impact beyond killing his career as what I would assume to be a philosopher. Wouldn't it have made more sense to take the degree and then turn it back around in some way that uses it as leverage against the company? Saying that you won't accept your degree until someone does something you want is a bit like saying I won't let you help me until you help me. Why would the school care?
The article says he's a mathematics doctoral candidate. "Doctor of Philosophy" is what PhD means and is the credential in which doctorate degrees that are not another type--Medical Doctor, Juris Doctor, etc--are issued.
Given that he did fulfill the requirements for the degree, I suspect his knowledge means he won't have much of a problem finding a job or perhaps a research post at another university.
Given that he did fulfill the requirements for the degree, I suspect his knowledge means he won't have much of a problem finding a job or perhaps a research post at another university.
The article never spelled it out, but he likely was properly granted the degree. He simply made a public show about not accepting the piece of paper. In the end he suggests that he "will not use this degree to get a job" or something to that effect.
Meaning that the degree has, in fact, been conferred.
Meaning that the degree has, in fact, been conferred.
I would bet he will have a difficult time finding a research post at another university. He has self-identified as a person who will be very difficult for university administrators to work with. That works when you have tenure; when you are looking for a job, not so much.
I don't think it would be that much of a problem. Its not like he would be the only "loose canon" in academics.
It limits his options, for sure, but might broaden his scope of influence either.
Whatever evil he is protesting, as a product of university, presumably there are others that feel the same. He might very well have endeared himself to them, making it easier to find a job.
Further, while he might be seen as difficult by some, he might be seen as a champion by others.
If nothing else, it might just have assured him that the place he finds employ will be a better fit than before. Those biased against him or his cause won't entertain the idea of employing him, while those that do are likely to better align with his ideals.
In practice, you may be right -- he might have a difficult time, but now that he's (in)famous, I think those doors will open.
Omarosa (of "The Apprentice" fame) has found gainful employ after repeatedly portraying herself as an indignant, hard-to-deal-with bitch on a number of reality television shows.
Whatever evil he is protesting, as a product of university, presumably there are others that feel the same. He might very well have endeared himself to them, making it easier to find a job.
Further, while he might be seen as difficult by some, he might be seen as a champion by others.
If nothing else, it might just have assured him that the place he finds employ will be a better fit than before. Those biased against him or his cause won't entertain the idea of employing him, while those that do are likely to better align with his ideals.
In practice, you may be right -- he might have a difficult time, but now that he's (in)famous, I think those doors will open.
Omarosa (of "The Apprentice" fame) has found gainful employ after repeatedly portraying herself as an indignant, hard-to-deal-with bitch on a number of reality television shows.
it made me think very highly of him. i'm sure the people along whatever career path this man follows will feel the same.
… rest of world rejects PhD grad.