So ... what are folks' takes on the ethics of unpaid science intern positions, when there are no longer opportunities for paid positions? We have a standing policy of no unpaid work (students can be paid in course credit or a living wage salary). But now there's a hiring freeze. - ThreadSky

debivort.bsky.social • 19 days ago

So ... what are folks' takes on the ethics of unpaid science intern positions, when there are no longer opportunities for paid positions?

We have a standing policy of no unpaid work (students can be paid in course credit or a living wage salary). But now there's a hiring freeze.

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wheezenfeld.bsky.social•19 days ago

Also interested in hearing people's takes on this :( we have the same policy and really like to use the summers to focus on undergrad mentoring but for this summer (& beyond?) the only options seem to be internal grants or no money at all

christianlandry.bsky.social•19 days ago

This tends to favour those who can afford it, favouring those with $$ once again.

debivort.bsky.social•19 days ago

Yes, that's why we have our current policy

debivort.bsky.social•19 days ago

but now the choices are
A) a privileged person can participate in the research/get training
B) no one gets to participate /train

christianlandry.bsky.social•19 days ago

I know. Not easy.

dddavi.bsky.social•19 days ago

If the choice is between no one gets trained and the rich get trained, I'd go with the latter. (After all where would we be without Tycho Brahe?) But be aggressive about reverting to past policy as soon as you can.

debivort.bsky.social•19 days ago

Thanks for thoughts! It's not totally clear exactly what the choice is — will know more when the Deans process my (re)appointment appeals. But it might be as stark as presented. Hard to think about how this period ends for us, I have to say.

ebablab.bsky.social•19 days ago

Maybe another important question then is how you asses candidates for more senior positions (postgrads etc) without being prejudiced against those that don’t have this experience?

debivort.bsky.social•19 days ago

Agreed. But ... maybe not too pertinent to my current dilemma. The freeze that is currently a barrier to paid internships is a much more substantial barrier to new students/postdocs.

debivort.bsky.social•19 days ago

I am trying to optimize/maximize the remaining time in lab of our core grad students and postdocs — and not planning on recruiting anyone at that level until the crisis ends. But part of supporting grad students and postdocs is recruiting interns to help their projects, give them mentorship exp.

ebablab.bsky.social•19 days ago

Yeah, I see. Different system here, but plenty of sympathy from this side of the pond for everyone trying to keep things afloat…

dddavi.bsky.social•19 days ago

I hear you, same

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