By and large universities and research institutions need to do some soul searching as to whether their doctoral researchers face something termed as ‘Epistemic Injustice’. Philosopher Miranda Fricker coined this phrase which is broadly defined as unfairness related to knowledge.
In the context of Ph.D students, they face numerous challenges. Among others, there are times when the student is made to feel the work is not credible or is dismissed as of very little significance owing to prejudices that may be nurtured due to age, gender, region, religion, caste/class etc. On other occasions, under the guise of guidance and mentorship the research student encounters verbal attacks, emotional insensitiveness, harsh criticism, little or absolutely no appreciation for the efforts, humiliation which aggravates when such episodes transpire in the presence of other research scholars and invitees.
Little wonder that mental health issues, be it stress, depression, panic attacks or instances of suicide is common among Ph.D students. Hazell Cassie (2022) and colleagues, University of Westminster, conducted a study on the mental health of 3352 Ph.D students and concluded that 33 per cent to 35 per cent came under the ‘suicide risk’ and that students nurture the myth that they need to suffer for their Ph.D. Furthermore, students believe in ‘Imposter Syndrome’ i.e. they are incompetent and feel like a fraud.
Closer home a write up in The Times of India by Nair Preetu (2021), exposes the fact that almost 68 per cent of Ph.D students suffer from some form of depression. A study of 240 Ph.D students of two universities in Kerala — Kasargod and Thiruvanthapuram was undertaken. The study highlighted that the condition is acute among non-science students. Common causes across studies normally point to conflicts with supervisors, financial constraints, lack of student support services etc.
Pursuing a doctorate degree can be a fulfilling venture where the benefits are not restricted to the student community alone but society at large. That said, an inclusive, democratic and conducive research culture has to be initiated and moreover sustained.
In this context, effective orientation in research methodology, plagiarism, epistemic justice, ethical research practices etc is to be undertaken.
Secondly and more importantly, there should be a feedback mechanism in place, where the student without inhibitions can give frank feedback of the performance of the guide and the expert panel that is assigned to the student.
Thirdly, all meetings have to be minuted and presentations be live streamed or recorded and the same be uploaded on the institution website. This will inject a sense of accountability, as there will be transparency in the functioning.
Fourthly, such research centres should provide student centric support system, which facilitates easy access to resources, information, data.
Finally, a counsellor is very much required to detect early signs of mental and emotional disorders and take preventive measures to ensure students do not take extreme steps. Hopefully, the concerned authorities will take cognizance of this silent killer and make required policy and structural changes.
