Mis-Doctored: The Invisible Post Phd Struggle

What Is Mis-Doctoring & Why Should You Care?

When you see me, what’s the first thing that comes to mind?

Like in many cultures, you’d probably ask, “What do you do?” when we first meet.

But 9 times out of 10, I bet you wouldn’t guess that I’m an academic with a PhD.

Why is that? Why don’t I fit the ‘typical’ image of a PhD holder?

You might think, “Why does it even matter?”

Well, it matters because what you’ve just done is mis-doctor me- placing me where you think I belong, & that place isn’t Dr. Pennant.

That assumption? It’s frustrating, limiting, & frankly, it p*sses me off.

Keep reading to find out why this is a problem…

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Earning a PhD: The Journey No One Sees

As a sociologist- & as my eldest sister so beautifully puts it- I realise that I, too, like to observe, reflect & address. I’ve been wanting to write this post for a while now, just to get it off my chest. It’s sorta a pet peeve of mine as well as a paradox:

1. because it shouldn’t be that deep-it’s just about using the correct title, &

   
   

2. because it is that deep-what seems small reflects bigger issues around respect, recognition & bias.

In any profession, there are levels to work through, from training to qualifying. The journey to becoming a PhD holder is one of those notoriously tough paths- it takes determination, commitment, & real passion for the topic you’re studying. Just look at the evidence: poor mental health, the relentless competition for dwindling funded PhD programmes, & the never-ending struggle to secure an academic position once you’re finished. That’s the general story.

But it gets even messier when race, gender, & class come into play. It’s well known that becoming a professor- the highest rank in UK academia- is no walk in the park. Neither is securing a lectureship or a postdoc, to be fair. The systemic barriers only make the climb tougher for some of us. The shrinking UK higher education sector is yet another alarming crisis.

The Mental Marathon: Why a PhD is No Small Feat

Imagine building Mount Everest or the London marathon track entirely from scratch- with your mind- & then immediately climbing that mountain or running that marathon. You're not just creating the journey itself through sheer creativity, you're also solving complex problems (the essence of a PhD), pushing the boundaries of thought, & tackling obstacles you never saw coming.

In the end, you’re left with something tangible- whether it’s a thesis, a discovery, or, to bring it back to my analogy, a mountain or marathon track that only exists because you made it happen. The sheer innovation & challenge of the process pushes you beyond your limits, requiring you to create something out of nothing & navigate a path that hasn't been paved before- all with your mind. PhD holders are essentially unicorns, simply for completing the process & earning the title “Dr.” Honestly, more people need to put some respeck on it & us! #NoBeSmallTing

Image credit: Pinterest

The Frustration of Being Mis-Doctored

Now, imagine overcoming all those systemic barriers, becoming the first in your family to earn a PhD, developing an impressive CV- presenting at international conferences, publishing peer-reviewed papers, doing postdocs, consultancy & so much more- all of which has become the bare minimum just to have a shot at succeeding in this field.

But then, every time when you step into your role as a researcher, you’re still treated like a lifelong student seen as still completing their PhD. As someone engaged in full-time research- very much by choice- this is especially true which would mean I’ve been doing my PhD for 8 years straight! The mis-doctoring is so constant, so frustrating, that I find myself repeatedly correcting others by saying:

"No, I'm not a student, it's Dr. Pennant actually!"

Still not understanding why this is a problem?

No worries, let me break it down further.

Real Stories: When My Title Was Erased

For example, I went to visit a place to conduct research, & despite emailing beforehand with my full email signature clearly introducing myself which included stating my title & job role, when I arrived, I was mis-doctored. How did they mis-doctor me? Well, they wouldn’t let me access a certain section or print resources I needed- one of the perks given to academics who work there & are visiting. This meant I had to say the awkward sentence mentioned above & flex my “Dr.” title once more just to get what I’m entitled to.

Another time, I was at an event where I introduced myself as Dr. & shared my research, only for someone to ask, "when do you finish your PhD?"

I’ve even had more senior colleagues who I work closely with automatically assume I’m still doing a PhD…& there are many, many other examples.

It’s Bigger Than Me: Bias, Assumptions & Barriers

Image credit: Pinterest

So, I coined the term mis-doctor, inspired by the concept of misgendering- assigning someone a gender they do not identify with or misusing their pronouns. And while the comparison highlights a shared experience of misrecognition, they are by no means the same. Similarly, being mis-doctored feels like having the depth of your journey erased- the years of specialised training, dedication, intellectual rigour, sacrifice & intense effort- without receiving the recognition, honour or acknowledgment of the achievement, title & status rightfully earned. It is the dismissal of a milestone that holds not just professional, but profound personal meaning. It can also be an embarrassing experience, constantly having to correct others & reassert yourself, which can foster insecurity & chip away at your confidence, essentially triggering imposter syndrome.

When will I be accepted as a Dr.? After my second book? In 10 years?

The Never-Ending PhD

There’s a clear difference in status when you transition from PhD student to Dr. When you land your first academic position & subsequent ones climbing up the ladder, this comes with more pay (yay), access, authority & career development. Every time you mis-doctor me, you’re essentially taking all that away from me.

I get it- the average person might not fully understand what a PhD is, or they may see it as just another qualification. But trust me, it’s so much more than that. Many people also fail to recognise the unique transferable skills it equips you with, like high-level ethical research & analysis, time & project management, drive & innovation- just to name a few (I know this doesn’t apply to every subject).

While it shouldn’t be the only thing that defines you, a PhD inevitably becomes part of your identity because it’s a 3+ year, often isolated journey that transforms you intellectually, emotionally, mentally & (sometimes) physically- it’s all connected!

Redefining Dr.: Claiming My Space & My Worth

It’s not all bad, though. 

Being mis-doctored has changed how I now view being a Dr. as I do my work. It’s pushed me to redefine what it means to be a Dr., embracing the beauty of diversity & becoming a role model for those who look like me.

Titles hold significant importance in African & Caribbean countries, where workplaces tend to be more conservative. In such environments, professionals are formally addressed by their title & surname and accorded the respect and treatment that align with their status. I learnt this firsthand during my time as a visiting fellow at ACIJ/JMB, which I wrote about in this post. The contrast between these environments highlights how respect for academic titles varies globally & why the lack of recognition in the UK can feel particularly frustrating, especially when it is inconsistently applied.

It’s also made me more unapologetic in who I am, because I don’t conform to respectability politics as defined by Professor Evelyn Brooks Higginbotham. I try to be in community with open-minded colleagues who, while some may be more senior, recognise that having earned a PhD means we stand on equal footing in terms of qualification. In fact, I’m now putting my own spin on a Zora Neale Hurston quote:

“If you are silent about your pain, they’ll kill you & say you enjoyed it.”

My version is:

“If you erase your authentic self, they’ll ridicule you anyway & still not accept you!”

How You Can Avoid Mis-Doctoring Someone

Moving forward, here are some tips to avoid mis-doctoring someone:

✅ Check your language: Words matter. Be mindful of how you refer to people, especially when it comes to titles & qualifications. Using the correct title isn’t just a courtesy- it’s about recognising the effort, expertise, & experience behind it.

✅ Catch your assumptions: Dissect them & think about what you can do to make your space one where more people who don’t look like you can be found. Don’t make assumptions about someone's role or qualifications based on appearance.

✅ Recognise invisible barriers & stand up for those who are mis-doctored: People from underrepresented groups often face unspoken challenges. Acknowledge these barriers & actively stand up for those who are mis-doctored, overlooked, or dismissed, as doing so is key to fostering genuine inclusion.

Final Thoughts: Put Some Respeck on It & Me!

So hopefully for the last time...

“No, I’m not a student. It’s Dr. Pennant, actually!!!"