Friday, July 10, 2015

PhD student experience “dehumanizing,” says ASHE president-elect


Studying for a PhD can be a “dehumanizing” and “humiliating” experience, according to Scott Thomas, President-Elect of the US Association for the Study of Higher Education (ASHE). In his recent talk at the annual conference of the UK Council for Graduate Education, Thomas highlighted the need for greater socialization and social support systems for graduate students. While he admits that doctoral programs “should be a challenging experience,” Thomas added that these programs are “needlessly isolating” in their disregard for promoting social relations between their students.