Here is how help PhD students be less dependent on advisors. And be happier. + have more risky projects and possible discoveries. ▫️ We need 10x more PhD fellowships that grant decent freedom to students. ▫️ Good fellowships imply: - You own your project - You choose the group - You cannot be told to work 24/7 - You can change the lab if you’re really unhappy ▫️ Outcome: 1. Students get project and budget management skills. - Although these skills are rather basic, it’s much better than nothing. 2. Students feel protected (not hopeless). - (for example) If the advisor doesn't meet their initial expectations, they can move to new place. Students don't develop potentially toxic dependency. 3. Research in uncharted territories is more likely.  - The student doesn’t need to have a good ’background fit’ (proposal being aligned with previous research, as it’s usually the case for PIs). Under right conditions, the projects can be crazier than usual. 4. Students can get internships in companies. - Good fellowships support extra activities such as workshops and internships. Obviously, this is a HUGE plus for any PhD student. 5. Students gain early PI experience and independence. ▫️ Basically, fellowships can turn PhD into an “entrepreneurial” journey supported by a small startup fund, with a focus on research and personal development. ❗ Financial support through fellowships is better than support through professor’s funding (on average). After >15 years in academia, I am fully convinced in it. ▫️ 10x more fellowships is really hard to achieve. But, in general, this can be done: - by moving funding from less ‘productive’ funding programs - by encouraging industry through (federal/local) co-funding - by creating partnership programs between industry and academia To me, this seems to be more straightforward way to giving students a happier PhD time without completely restructuring the way academia works. It's not ideal. But (in principle) it is doable. ▫️ p.s. Same goes for postdocs. #AcademicChatter #AcademicTwitter