Although we do not typically think of students at an academic institution as vulnerable to a type of indentured servitude, the truth is that institutions of higher learning are environments that can foment a parasitic form of indenturement - particularly when the student has everything to loose. As well as being naturally vulnerable as young people who are (perhaps) still naive and less accustomed to exerting their voices.
A Story of Betrayal
As I sat in the dimly lit lecture hall, my heart raced with a mix of excitement and anxiety. This was my final semester at university, and I had poured my soul into my thesis project under the guidance of Professor Thompson, a renowned figure in our department. Little did I know that this journey would take an unexpected turn, leading to feelings of betrayal and disillusionment.
The Project Begins
From the very first day of class, Professor Thompson had captivated us with his charisma and extensive knowledge. He encouraged us to think critically and pushed us to explore innovative ideas. My project focused on sustainable urban development, a topic I was passionate about. I spent countless hours researching, conducting surveys, and analyzing data. Each week, I submitted drafts for feedback, eagerly awaiting his insights.
Professor Thompson praised my work during our meetings. “This is groundbreaking,” he would say, his eyes gleaming with enthusiasm. His encouragement fueled my motivation; I felt like I was on the brink of something significant.
The Presentation Day
As the semester progressed, we prepared for the final presentations. The anticipation built up as we all worked tirelessly to refine our projects. On presentation day, I stood nervously before my peers and faculty members, ready to share my findings. When it was finally my turn, I delivered my presentation with passion and confidence.
To my surprise, Professor Thompson seemed particularly impressed. He took notes diligently during my talk and even asked insightful questions that made me feel validated as a researcher. Afterward, he approached me with a proposition: “I’d like to collaborate on publishing your findings.” My heart soared; this was an opportunity of a lifetime!
The Unraveling
Weeks passed after the presentation as we worked together on refining the paper for publication. However, something began to feel off. Professor Thompson started taking more control over the project’s direction without consulting me as much as before. He would often say things like “Leave this part to me” or “I’ll handle the submission process.”
One evening while working late in his office, I stumbled upon an email thread between him and a prominent journal editor discussing our paper—only it was presented entirely under his name without any mention of me or my contributions. My stomach dropped as realization hit me like a cold wave: he was planning to publish MY work as if it were his own.
Confrontation
Feeling betrayed and angry, I confronted him the next day in his office. “Professor Thompson,” I said firmly but trembling inside, “I saw your email about our paper… why didn’t you include me?” His response was chillingly calm: “In academia, it’s not uncommon for professors to take credit for their students’ work if they guide them through it.”
I felt crushed by his words; what had been an inspiring mentorship turned into a painful lesson about power dynamics in academia. It became clear that despite all the encouragement he had given me throughout the semester, he viewed me merely as a stepping stone for his own career advancement.
Aftermath
In the following weeks, I wrestled with how to proceed. Should I report him? Would anyone believe me? The fear of retaliation loomed large over me; after all, he held significant influence within the department.
Ultimately, after much deliberation and discussions with trusted friends and mentors outside of academia who encouraged me to stand up for myself, I decided to file a formal complaint against him with the university’s ethics board.
The investigation revealed several instances where Professor Thompson had taken undue credit for student work across multiple projects over several years—a pattern that shocked many within our department once exposed.
Take Away
While it took time for justice to be served—resulting in disciplinary action against him—I learned invaluable lessons about integrity and self-advocacy throughout this ordeal. It reminded me that while academia can be fraught with challenges such as these betrayals of trust, standing up for oneself is crucial in maintaining one’s dignity and ensuring that hard work does not go unrecognized or exploited.
In retrospect, this experience shaped not only my academic journey but also reinforced my commitment to ethical practices in research moving forward.
I am lucky to have found the courage to say something, but in this sense I know I represent a small minority of students like me who have been similarly preyed upon.
The Bureau of International Labor Affairs maintains a list of goods and products likely produced by child labor or forced labor in violation of international standards. This list is primarily published to increase public awareness, and to encourage concerned consumers to make efforts to learn more about the supply chain and to use their purchasing power to send the message to corporations that child labor and forced labor are not condoned.