13/Let's flip this around for a minute. Let's say you are a PI. And let's say a grant program officer is expressing interest in your work. This is very exciting! The currency they can offer in exchange for your hard work is not metaphorical!
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14/How do you feel when they hint they'd like something in exchange? Something that isn't your hard work? Maybe they want their kid to get into your school. Maybe they want a job recommendation. Whatever it is, it isn't what you'd thought.
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15/Maybe they, too, want something else. (Been here too, ugh. FFS, program officers of the world, calling a scientist beautiful when they thought you were discussing their work is not a compliment. It is shockingly unprofessional.)
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16/Here's the thing that seems to escape some people: using your career currency (power, reputation) to get something else you want is a particular aspect of "human nature." And it is not a good aspect. It's called corruption. There is no good exchange rate between these things.
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17/Professionalism in academia means being mindful of the power structure and how reputation is currency. It means trying to be aware of the power/currency you have amassed and being careful not to misuse it. It means not giving more career currency to people who misuse it.
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18/Professionalism in academia means you don't mix currencies. You don't compliment someone's work and then, because you made them feel good, expect them to make you feel good in a different way.
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19/You want to hook up at a conference with someone with equivalent power to yours & who consents to the experience? Whatever. Not my relationship, not my business. Have fun. But do not ignore the power structure and don't misuse or allow others to misuse currency.
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20/Don't hit on people with less power/currency than you. Don't call people who damage science by using their power/currency in corrupt ways "good scientists." Don't invite them to keynote. Don't nominate them for awards. Maintain your integrity. Don't allow corruption.
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21/Thank you for coming to my TED talk.
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P.S. I will add that I'm fine, experiences I had were mildly unpleasant but obviously didn't push me out. I'm tough & came to academia from industry, which was worse. So I hope this doesn't discourage anyone considering their career path. I think/hope academia is getting better.
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