Mental health is the most sensitive of the “taboo” areas that doctoral candidates struggle with but avoid discussing openly, an Australian study has found. And problems with supervisors – including exploitation, abuse, incompetence, obstruction, ethical violations and blurred personal boundaries – are the most prevalent.
Australian researchers have analysed social media posts to unpack the “survival strategies” PhD students use to navigate the “unspeakable” topics that threaten their future.
The study, published in the journal Higher Education Quarterly, compared anonymous and attributed posts to uncover the subjects considered most “taboo” – “widely recognised” issues that were rarely acknowledged publicly, because it seemed inappropriate or “risky”.
The researchers analysed almost 8,000 PhD-related questions on a platform called “Academia Stack Exchange”, along with queries republished on “PhD Voice” – an X account that amassed almost 130,000 followers before it lapsed into inactivity in late 2024.
The analysis revealed 32 “clusters” of questions around “practical concerns” such as admissions, funding and career paths. These queries were rarely posted anonymously, suggesting the topics were perceived as “safe” and “openly discussable” within academic communities.
