A survey revealed that almost half of scientists have faced territorial and undermining behaviors, predominantly during their PhD years, often from high-profile individuals or supervisors. Lead author Jose Valdez highlights that these gatekeeping behaviors can severely damage the careers of early-career and marginalized researchers, with nearly one in five affected individuals leaving academia altogether. The study, which focused primarily on ecologists, introduces the term 'Gollum effect' to encompass possessive behaviors within academia, bringing attention to a toxic environment that perpetuates fear and competitiveness rather than collaboration.
Almost half of the scientists surveyed experienced territorial and undermining behaviors, especially during their PhD studies, with high-profile researchers often being the perpetrators.
The possessiveness shown by many researchers, termed the 'Gollum effect,' encapsulates the territorial behaviors that damage careers of early-career and marginalized researchers.
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