Hi everyone,

I’ve been checking this forum but I have not managed to find duplicates (I’m using Summit for Lemmy). If that’s the case I’ll remove this post.

I’m about to start a PhD. I’ve been told I will be required to partake in publications and other shenanigans. I am not against it, but I’m very concerned about having my full name flying around the internet, as I’ve always been hesitant of sharing any of that information (real name, pictures, etc).

Ultimately, I only care for potential employers to know that it’s actually me the one who has written this or that, which I would happily disclose in private.

What’s the usual stance in this situation?

  • RBG
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    3 months ago

    I’ll say it straight forward, if you are considering an academic career you are just shooting yourself in the leg with this. It is already hard to make it in academia, using a pseudonym and expecting people to believe you or check additional proof it is actually your publication is not going to fly.

    If you already know that you won’t stay in academia but go to industry it might not be much easier. People won’t care as much about publications but they still look good on your CV.

    Ah, also just doing a PhD might make you end up in some publicly available database where your thesis will end up in. And I strongly doubt any reputable university would give you a PhD under a pseudonym.

    • Em Adespoton@lemmy.ca
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      3 months ago

      Depends on the pseudonym. I know someone who did their PhD in data privacy; they used their real last name but used their initials instead of first and middle name on publications. Then in everyday life they went by their middle name. Worked for them….