Competition among PhD students

[prefers_pencils]

Looking for objective perspectives on a tricky issue: staking claims on research ideas among PhD students. 

 

I'm an early year student in a social sciences department full of diverse research areas. Of the ~20 students in my division, ~3 of us research under the same topic umbrella. 

 

I'm 6 months into my first major research project on a topic no one in my department has touched but seems to be gathering momentum in the field. I haven't formally presented this idea to the department yet, but have informally shared details with other faculty and students in the last three months or so. I've finished collecting data and am partway through the analyses.

 

Just recently, one of the students in my "umbrella" learned about my project. This student, in front of my advisor and other faculty, minimized the scope of my project's focus on this "hot" topic, then made a claim that they had a similar idea "last year" -- that they have suddenly decided to pursue this spring. I was then invited to be essentially the 4th author on their to-be-written paper. The student currently has several other projects ongoing, none of which are related to this topic.

 

My advisor responded that it would not be in everyone's best interest to collaborate, and that because this topic is quite central to my research, the other student should essentially continue down their current path so we don't seem identical on the job market. I really love my advisor for saying this. But... the student's response was an abrupt and neutral "Lots to consider... We'll see", without agreeing or acknowledging any of my advisor's points.

 

I feel threatened by this. I have had research ideas around this student's topic area that I have specifically avoided pursuing so as not to step on research toes. My general impression of research as a profession is that "ideas are in the air", meaning that it's not unusual for multiple people to come up with similar ideas. However, I believe you should respectfully step off if someone has already begun work on said idea as they've invested the time and intention while you've prioritized other things. Also the timing of this "I was first" claim is rather suspicious.

 

Do you think this student's actions are suspicious? Am I being too territorial? What do you advise? Thanks for reading.

 

 

TL;DR: I think my idea may be getting scooped by another student, who claims they had this idea "over a year ago" but are suddenly declaring intentions to work on it now. The announcement is suspiciously timed with learning about my 6-month old project. Is all fair in research and war?

[IRToni]

I feel threatened by this. I have had research ideas around this student's topic area that I have specifically avoided pursuing so as not to step on research toes. My general impression of research as a profession is that "ideas are in the air", meaning that it's not unusual for multiple people to come up with similar ideas. However, I believe you should respectfully step off if someone has already begun work on said idea as they've invested the time and intention while you've prioritized other things. Also the timing of this "I was first" claim is rather suspicious.

 

Do you think this student's actions are suspicious? Am I being too territorial? What do you advise? Thanks for reading.

 

 

TL;DR: I think my idea may be getting scooped by another student, who claims they had this idea "over a year ago" but are suddenly declaring intentions to work on it now. The announcement is suspiciously timed with learning about my 6-month old project. Is all fair in research and war?

 

Honestly, I wouldn't worry about it, especially if you have already done some work on it. Getting scooped does happen, but if you're already 6 months along, chances are, you'll be the first to finish the project anyway, means you'll scoop them, and it will be their loss! You seem to have your advisor on your side, which is much more important than this student's approval. I might be more careful about sharing details with the specific student from now on, but aside from that, I don't think there's much you can do!

[threading_the_neidl]

Use this as motivation to finish your work fast and well. Don't rush things so much that your methods fall apart, but you already have a 6 month head start + probably a lot more a grounding in the literature since it seems obvious this person is poaching from your ideas, not independently thinking things up. Don't say a word to them about your work anymore, but get your stuff done and published.

[prefers_pencils]

Thanks for your thoughts. As we're in the same research area, this student will be present at presentations I'm expected to give the over the next few months, so there's not much I can hide in terms of project details. But I'll certainly work hard. 

[threading_the_neidl]

That shouldn't be so bad, actually. By presenting your work thus far to the faculty and your respective mentors, the similarity in projects will be noticed and there's no way someone can bluff through their competitor being well ahead of them without looking desperate. You've totally got this! Kill 'em with data!

[juilletmercredi]

Actually, presentations are one of the best ways to avoid getting scooped.  Not only will this other student be present, but there will be tons of other people there who can say "Prefers Pencils presented on this, so they're working on that."  In fact, it's often recommended that you make presentations at national and regional field conferences in part to stake a claim to your work.  If your project has components X, Y and Z and you have a conference presentation in X in April and Y in October, it will be that much harder for the other student to scoop you - you have publicly claimed this research as first author in public academic venues.

 

One of the things I've realized, though, is that research takes a lot of time.  If you started this project 6 months ago and continue to make good progress, there's little chance they can scoop you unless they steal your work outright.

[prefers_pencils]

Actually, presentations are one of the best ways to avoid getting scooped.  Not only will this other student be present, but there will be tons of other people there who can say "Prefers Pencils presented on this, so they're working on that."  In fact, it's often recommended that you make presentations at national and regional field conferences in part to stake a claim to your work.  If your project has components X, Y and Z and you have a conference presentation in X in April and Y in October, it will be that much harder for the other student to scoop you - you have publicly claimed this research as first author in public academic venues.

 

One of the things I've realized, though, is that research takes a lot of time.  If you started this project 6 months ago and continue to make good progress, there's little chance they can scoop you unless they steal your work outright.

 

 

Thanks - this makes me feel better!