Doctoral studies come with many challenges, often complicated by hidden taboos such as financial struggles and inadequate supervision. These issues, though rarely discussed openly, impact students’ motivation and academic success. Researchers from the National Institute SYRI and Charles University, including three BOLD Lab members Barbora Nekardová, Jakub Vlček, and Tomáš Lintner, are investigating how these taboos shape the doctoral experience. Their study, which began with in-depth interviews, aims to expose these issues and offer recommendations for improving doctoral education in the Czech Republic.

Preliminary findings highlight financial insecurity and authorship disputes as key concerns. Many students face low and unequal funding, while others feel pressured to list supervisors as co-authors despite minimal contributions. A lack of transparency in supervisor assignments and limited mentoring further contribute to frustration and distrust. These challenges affect students’ well-being and chances of completing their studies.

The next phase of the study will include a quantitative analysis to assess the prevalence and broader impact of these issues. We look forward to the team’s further insights, which could help drive meaningful reforms in doctoral education.