Abuse of power in academia is a systematic problem. The multiple dependencies between precariously employed junior scientists and their supervisors open the door to the abuse of power, for example to extort extra work. In my presentation, I will discuss the different forms of power in the scientific system and illustrate their abuse with case studies. Subsequently, I will discuss proposed solutions at the individual, institutional, and system levels.

In this talk I will indicate techniques you can use to maximise the amount of frustration you experience during your PhD. This includes avoiding any knowledge about the process of doing a PhD, avoiding any awareness of different types of research projects, blissful ignorance of the role of frustration in science, effective techniques for staying in undergraduate mode for as long as possible, topics not to discuss with your supervisor, and the strict avoidance of clear writing. Potential attendees are reminded of the concept of sarcasm.