"The quality of life [provided by] my current stipend (same amount as for 10 years ago) definitely has not been maintained with the rising cost of living. Within a few years I think most people would struggle and need to begin a side hustle or second job."
"My stipend was far below the cost of living in my area, which in turn forced me to pick up a part-time job on the side to make ends meet."
"In Canada, PhD stipends on average are just at or sometimes below the poverty line."
A Nature survey of approximately 1,200 PhD researchers reveals that 46% have pursued side hustles during their doctoral studies. Sixty-eight percent express worry about their regional economic situation, with 59% indicating this concern makes them more likely to seek additional work. PhD stipends have remained stagnant for years while living costs have risen significantly, particularly in expensive cities. In Canada, average PhD stipends fall at or below the poverty line. Similar financial distress appears among U.S. university students, with financial optimism at historic lows. UK research organizations report that current PhD stipends fail to meet researchers' living costs, highlighting a widespread crisis affecting doctoral candidates globally.
#phd-funding-crisis #cost-of-living #side-hustles #researcher-financial-hardship #stipend-inadequacy
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