From a pinch of soil - to global lies!

In the previous post we started following a pinch of soil, which was brought to a lab. The goal was to find how many fungi live in this pinch. In a lab, where Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) is adopted, sample contamination with alien fungal DNA is prevented. Also, several controls are applied to ban false signals. The results obtained in such GLP-lab would be unpretentious, but truthful (pic.1 a). However, if the same soil sample ends up in the Departmentof Forest Mycology and Plant Pathology, SLU it is ordained for a higher purpose! In the previous post we observed the process of cooking a meaty body out of a tiny soil sample. The aim was artificially generate as many fungal-like signals as possible.  The raw materials obtained in our Department by control-free practice look copious (pic.1, b).

Pic.1             a                                                     b

The next task is adding fashionable trends! Results must look not only huge, but also super modish. How this challenge is solved at our Department? By outsourcing!

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR), which helps to create the meaty raw results, was invented many decades ago. Now it becomes a routine analysis even in the most modest labs. PCR is technologically primitive: researcher just has to mix together several (from 3 to 7) liquids. That is all. It is as easy as installing screw-nuts (pic. 2).

Pic. 2 Only the most technologically simple procedure is done at the Department

Results produced by such simple method would be rejected with disgust by the upper crust peer-review journals.  To prevent such negative reaction, the simplicity of technology ought to be masked. So, raw PCR materials are packed into envelopes and sent to an external company for so called Next Generation Sequencing (pic3).

Pic. 3 Raw results are sent to external companies for modernization

Of course, next generation sequencing (more correctly, massive parallel sequencing) was not invented to mask forgeries, but nevertheless, has been effectively adopted for this job. The technology is modish and that is why – extremely expensive! If conventional analysis costs around 100$, theNext Generation Sequencing costs 10000$. Only rich labs can afford it. On this stage all rivals from the modest labs are eliminated from the competition. Despite the fact that contestants did the same analysis, they failed to pack it into luxurious wrapper.

When results come back after the Next Generation Sequencing treatment they look huge and impressive(pic. 4)!

Pic. 4 When results arrive after modernization they look huge and imperssive

But what is more important – now results look very modern and extremely complicated (pic. 5). These monstrous results need special software to be handled and many hours of office-work.  The maintenance of this tortuous construction demand special people. These exceptional people talk on a cleverly jargon. The whole process became so exclusive, so high-tech looking, so trendy!  Who can possibly identify that this monstrous construction grew out of the tiny soil pinch with just four fungi living in it? 

Pic. 5 Next Generation Sequencing converts PCR-porridge into high-tech construction

The cheapest way to get publishable results,

Or fungal hocus-pocus

Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences

Swedish public invest huge resources into science. Swedish labs are rich and academia workers are well-fed. With such resources talented scientists can make useful discoveries or develop new technologies. Scientists that lack talent but still have dignity would at least provide the reliable & true results. What can you say about people, who spend huge resources to produce frauds?

Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences

I will explain the main trick, which for the decades helps the “scientists” at the Department of ForestMycology and Plant Pathology, Swedish University of AgriculturalScientists get publishable results.

The story starts when a sample of soil is taken from a forest or a field. In old time scientists, who studied soil did enormous work: they dug deep pits, brought huge soil specimens, and took many samples to ensure that result are true. Modern academia inhabitants bring a pinch of soil to the lab, grimacing fastidiously even at this tiny amount of the real nature (see all the modern publications: 0.5 g and very rare 1 g of soil is used). From this point already a study loses realism. But who says that modern academia inhabitants care about realism? They care about “publishable results” (the favorite expression in modern academia)! So, although the pinch of soil cannot provide reliable results, it is enough to give the odor of environmental study. Now the task is to cook up the body.  

Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences

So, a tiny sample arrives to a lab. Let's assume that this pinch of soil has 4 fungal species living there (pic 1). Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences

Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences

Pic 1

Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences

The first step is to extract fungal DNA from soil. In a good lab researchers will prevent that any other fungi would contaminate the sample (pic 2)

Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences

Pic 2

Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences

In fraud-generation lab the point is to enrich samples! Fungi that live in a lab, or on human skin is only the minor source of contamination. Plus, they can be easily recognized as human-associated and will be interpreted as a sign of poor lab practice. The better source of contamination is required. And in our Department this source has been successfully created and maintained for decades! This source are the ghost fungi. The advantage of the ghost fungi are that they can be produced in the lab during the routine analysis. Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences

The thing is that the amount of DNA extracted from a pinch of soil is so tiny that it cannot be detected. Thus this amount of DNA must be increased artificially up to detectable level. DNA amplification is done with so called polymerase chain reaction (PCR). PCR increase the amount of DNA approximately in 2³⁰ times. In other words, instead of one original molecule of DNA there will be 2³⁰ copies of this molecule after the reaction. PCR is an amazing tool in a knowledgeable hands. Unfortunately, as any powerful tool in the absent of control it can serve for mischiefs. DNA copies produced during PCR are very stable and can survive months if not years under lab environments. In the good labs leaking of DNA copies from test tubes is strictly prohibited. In my home lab it was not allowed even to open tubes with DNA copies. If anybody forgot about the taboo, this unmindful person would spend a week cleaning with a toothbrush every millimeter of the lab where the crime was done, corridors and all neighbor labs. But in the Department of Forest Mycology and Plant Pathology  DNA copies from all tests are dis-incarcerated. Tubes with DNA copies are left open. In few hours they dry into dust every speck of which contains trillions DNA copies (pic 3). This DNA dust spreads across by seriously looking people in white coats, darting between labs. Finally, all labs are heavily populated with the ghosts – copies of fungal DNA from all previous experiments.

Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences

Pic 3

Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences

Under such haunted environments all new samples will be contaminated (pic 4).

Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences

Pic 4

Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences

Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences

But this level of contamination is still too little for the impressive results. Don't worry! The same PCR that helps to produce ghosts will help to obtain required results!

Well, now our sample with four fungal species undergoes PCR. If PCR analysis is done correctly, 4 fungi that were in the original sample will give 4 signals. Several types of control are used to prevent possible errors (pic 5).

Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences

Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences

Pic 5

Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences

Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences

In fraud-generating lab all controls are canceled and all errors are welcomed. Polymerase chain reaction has a highly creative nature and can join DNA molecules into combinations that never exist in the Nature. These new DNA-creatures even in scientific jargon are called chimeras. In addition to chimeras, PCR can create other types of monsters. As a result from 4 fungi, which originally inhabited the sample and 6 ghosts that arrived later, it is possible to get hundreds different signals (pic 6). In the end, it will look like not 4 but hundreds fungi lived in the original pinch of soil. In the publications the DNA copies from all PCR-monsters will be named “unculturable fungi” and their DNA copies will be saved in special repositories as a treasure.

Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences

Pic 6

Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences

Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences

Now results already start looking impressive! 

Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences

Compare: the correct procedure can provide only 4 fungi and to get such pauper result researcher needs sweating in the lab, preparing all kind of controls, preventing contamination and repeating analysis if errors are detected. In contract, control-free, quality-careless practice brings meaty results and demands very little efforts.

Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences

Well, this is just one reason why this mis-practice has been adopted at the Department. The other reasons need special consideration and will be discussed later.

Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences

Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences

Single-skill professor

In the previous post I gave an example of the inferior research performed under the management of my former supervisor. The major reason for such low level research is the absence of deep and profound knowledge of the methods in use. My former supervisor memorizes the terminology, but the words stay meaningless for him. He could make sentences using the terms, but anyone who works with the method would notice that behind his talk there is no understanding. Students cannot count on such supervisor when they need a practical help. Even worse, it is not possible to explain to such supervisor any problem or obstacle that arise in the lab work. However, my former supervisor found an effective method to mask the absence of competence – he played “ a good guy”! He was not your supervisor anymore, he was your friend. On the meetings he would talk about his family, relatives, home matters, traveling, conferences and it would be impossible to attract his attention to the problems related to the research.  

I see a serious discrepancy between how much the fake professors really understand and the level of understanding that is needed to do modern research. Last time when most of professors worked in a lab was approximately 10-30 years ago! The methods they used being a young researchers already died away or were transformed considerably. However, they never practice any lab skills anymore and never care to attend any courses on new methods. Even if phony professors devote a bit of his time for reading, they have not enough practical experience to separate the wheat from the chaff and blindly believe everything that is published. In addition, they don't have any clue about how much time lab work takes. Under such supervision only students who can produce required results in unrealistic time scale can succeed. Ancient-skilled supervisors have no ability to control the work or to check the results. So they gladly accept all nonsenses, especially if any “statistical significance” is produced. Thus, ignorant supervisors became fraud-generators.

Under healthy environment, dummy professors would be suppressed by normal scientists, who can question frauds, smile at the incompetence and who always can win the scientific discussion with the phonies. In Sweden, however, discussions are not welcome. This restriction applies also to any scientific debates. And when the culture of the scientific dispute dies, the ignorance easily triumphs!

Gilderoy Lockhart produced a new PhD!

Recently my former supervisor baked a new PhD. I had a hope that after getting in troubles with me, he might revise his supervisory practice. Unfortunately, it doesn't happened and Prof.  Lockhart continues to release PhDs in the same way as before.

There are too many things in the thesis of the new PhD candidate that can be questioned. I will discuss below only two points that made me to grab my head in disbelieve of what I read. The thesis title is 'Root associated microbial communities ofdifferent strawberry cultivars as influenced by soil type,verticilium, and biofumigation.' The 'discovery' that shocked me the most was the enormous numbers of fungi that were found in the soil. For the analysis Prof.  Lockhart and his student used 0.5 g of soil. (see the picture below: this is how 0.5 g of soil looks like) 

Now quotation from the thesis: “Bioinformatic analysis of rhizosphere soil revealed 16923 pyrosequencing reads that passed the quality control checks revealed 589 clusters, 86% of which were of fungal origin.” This means that 589 different types of DNA molecules were found, 86% of which are fungal DNA. This gives us 506 different types of fungi living in 0.5 g of soil. If it would be so the “soil” would look like a ravel of fungi without any real soil particles. It is similar to statement that herds of antelopes can be grazing in the kitchen. Nevertheless, the discovery was not questioned and Prof.  Lockhart went on to analyze the data.

Where this striking number of fungi might come from? There are at least two sources: contaminated lab and inappropriate protocols that always successfully provide researchers in my department with a level of diversity necessary for impressively-looking publications. But these issues will be discussed some time later in another post.

The unnatural number of fungi discovered in a pinch of soil was already enough to doubt the results, but the freakish data analysis made things even worse. The statistics based on presence – absence data showed no differences between treatments. To overcome this obstacle the quantitative analysis was performed. It means that bands (produced with erroneous protocol) were measured for their fleshiness. If one band was thicker then the other it was concluded that one microbe presented in the sample in a bigger amount then the other one. It called “relative abundance”. 

 Let's see an example. Assume that we have two samples. In sample A there is 1 microbe and in sample B - 100 microbes. Such small amounts are beyond the detection and we need to amplify the signal. Now imagine that during analysis the signal from sample A was amplified for 100000 times and from sample B only for 10 times. Then the relative abundance in sample A would be 100 times higher then in sample B. From this result the erroneous conclusion can be done, that in the sample A there was 100 times more microbes then in sample B. 

This kind of error happened very often! That is why the long list of “must-to-do” things was developed for quantitative analysis. To monitor the correct signal amplification different types of controls must be used. Plus, the analysis for each sample must be repeated several times to confirm that every time the same results are obtained. Plus the calibration must be done to set a scale.  In this work, however, even the most basic demands were ignored. Casting Relative Exuberanti spell Prof. Lockhart and his student conjured all necessary differences and spectacularly culminated thesis with 19-points conclusions!

Who is guiltier in doing such kind of work, student or professor? I think that 99% is the supervisor fault. Student usually spends considerable amount of time before he discovers that the research is predisposed to be a fraud. When suspicions grow into certainty it's already too late: too little time left, no other methods available in the department and nobody around who does research in a different way. So, the routine is reproduced year by year and anyone who dares to question ill practice is outcast.

It's difficult to calculate a total cost of such studies; but only the salary of one professor (about 55.000 SEK per month) and one PhD student (av. 22000 SEK per month) cost taxpayers about 1 000 000 SEK per year.  

Is your PI a dick or a loser?_Guest post

The original post and comments to it you can find on: 

Reza Ghadiri, The Scripps Research Institute, Science — and all that jazz

Is your PI a dick or a loser?

May 4, 2010 19,085 views

Imagine yourself as a PI (principal investigator), head of a laboratory, professor in an academic institution somewhere. (That is, if you aren't already.) As a PI, you have to worry about many things. Let's take a closer look at one of them. Namely, how do you make those PhD students and postdocs work their asses off for you?

If you care about climbing the ladder of academic success, it is what you want. If you don't yet have tenure, it is what you desperately need. Most professors have no time (or desire) to do any lab work themselves. It all comes down to students and postdocs. And how hard they work depends on how well their PIs motivate them.

Bonuses, pay raises, promotions and stock options are commonly used for motivational purposes in the business world. But we are not in the world of business here. This is Sparta! Academia. Fortunately, a PI can employ other methods of workforce motivation. Unfortunately, most of them aren't pretty.

Sweatshops aside, only in their wildest dreams can corporate bosses have such power over their employees as research professors have over their PhD students and postdocs. There are no labor unions to worry about, no strikes, no contracts, no concept of overtime. It's up to the PI to make the rules. And with their diplomas and careers on the line, it's up to the students and postdocs to suck it up and cooperate.

PIs who are not aggressive at riding the backs of their group members are at a serious disadvantage against the PIs who are. Speaking crudely but bluntly, it's a choice of being either a dick or a loser. For those professors who choose to be ambitious, two basic options, or archetypes, are available for adoption:

1. The Slave Driver

The Slave Driver approach is to demand, control and get. It's a relatively straightforward, reliable strategy of "my way or the highway". A slave driver PI might:

• enforce a strict schedule of (long) working hours in the lab;
• phone in or drop by the lab on Saturday nights to make note of who is slacking off;
• personally check everybody's laboratory notebooks on a regular basis;
• praise group members who manage to work 36 hours straight, without sleep, all the while handling toxic or explosive chemicals;
• threaten, yell, and generally have a "bad side" people are terrified of getting on, etc.

2. The Manipulator

Relies on a more subtle and artful approach. Manipulators excel at inspiring other people to do what they want them to. A manipulator PI can:

• convince (in effect, brainwash) a person to believe that literally nothing in the world is more important than to "work hard and get good results";
• gain trust by acting like a pal, or a father/mother figure, rather than like a boss;
• have you believe he/she both a) has got your best interests at heart, and b) knows what's best for you;
• look for a person's individual "buttons" and push them to achieve desired effects on behavior;
• masquerade genuine concern for research progress as caring about the people involved;
• play on human egos, hopes, fears, etc.

And, of course, there are varying degrees and lengths different professors will go to in acting out either or both of the above general strategies at different stages of their careers. The moral of the story is: PIs who act like dicks (or, pardonnez-moi, like bitches) should not be judged too harshly. After all, they are simply trying to be good at their jobs.

Simulacrum: the Swedish Higher Education Authority

Ministry of Education and Research Swedish university of agricultural sciences

Stockholm Swedish university of agricultural sciences

Sweden Swedish university of agricultural sciences Swedish university of agricultural sciences

Swedish university of agricultural sciences Swedish university of agricultural sciences

May 20, 2013 Swedish university of agricultural sciences Swedish university of agricultural sciences

 Swedish university of agricultural sciences Swedish university of agricultural sciences

The reflection on the eleven months-long communication

with the Swedish Higher Education Authority (SHEA).

Swedish university of agricultural sciences Swedish university of agricultural sciences

In July 2012 I sent to SHEA a complaint about the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU). I have been forced to do it because my home university for six months refused to investigate the problem which I faced during my education. I emphasize again: I didn't complained about the decision that SLU made; the problem was that SLU ignored all my request to investigate the problem. My appeals to SHEA were: Swedish university of agricultural sciences

1. to establish the correct data of my admission to the third-cycle study program at SLU
2. to investigate whether SLU provided the necessary conditions for the education to be completed
3. to investigate whether the resources from my study have been withdrawn in accordance with the legal procedure

On May 13^th, 2013 I have got the final decision from SHEA and now I feel that it is a time to summarize my experience of long-term communication with this authority. Among the main activities that SHEA claimed on its homepage are: student's rights, the quality assurance, and monitoring of the efficiency. However the facts, on example of my case, showed that none of these claims was fulfilled.

SHEA cannot monitor the efficiency of other educational institutions, because it is not efficient itself. It took SHEA eleven months to go through my complaint. This time-scale can be called efficient only if the purpose was to wait until my financial resources would be exhausted and I would be forced to leave Sweden, withdrawing my complaints.

SHEA cannot evaluate the quality of education. I presented written evidences that my former supervisor for 2 years (two years!) have been refusing to provide me with any feedback. His non-professional attitude made impossible to publish the results of my research and nullify the possibility to complete my studies. Later, when I applied to SLU with a request to change the inefficient supervisor, this request was ignored again. Today, after 16 months (more then one year!) since I requested for a change of the supervisor, SLU still cannot provide my studies with an adequate supervision. SHEA commented on this point of my complaint that this problem is an internal matter of SLU. Thus, students in Sweden are left under the yoke of the educational institution with no opportunity to complain.

SHEA does not aim to guarantee the right of students. The only document that I requested from SLU and later on from SHEA was a copy of my admission to the third-cycle of education dated by the June 2007. I requested this document because SLU insisted that my studies have started in June 2007 and I only had a copy of admission to the third-cycle education dated by June 2010. Since I feel myself totally entitled to request documents that are relevant to my own education, I didn't understand the grounds why SLU and later SHEA were so persistent in ignoring my request at the beginning and even directly refusing it later. The only reason would be that this document does not exist and my education started only in 2010. SLU practices the exploitation of foreign students during several years before the students can “earn” the permission to start their own research project and SHEA shielded this practice of modern slavery.

Swedish university of agricultural sciences Swedish university of agricultural sciences Swedish university of agricultural sciences Swedish university of agricultural sciences 

Summarizing all above mentioned facts I state that the Swedish HigherEducation Authority is a simulacrum. It aimed to create a false image that the rights of the students who intended to obtain their degree in Sweden are guaranteed and protected. The only mission of SHEA is to guarantee that the Swedish educational institutions, which violate student rights would be fully shielded from any problems. However, I believe, that in the era of Internet the ancient policy of hushing up problems will be no longer efficient; quit opposite it became laughable. So, if there are sensible politicians in the Government of Sweden they ought to recognize that the policy pursued by SHEA sooner or later will lead to the complete discredit of the image of Swedish education and their own reputations.

Swedish university of agricultural sciences Swedish university of agricultural sciences
 Swedish university of agricultural sciences Swedish university of agricultural sciences

Elena K

Swedish university of agricultural sciences

Dept Forest Mycology and Plant Pathology

Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences

Uppsala, Sweden

http://nii-chavo.blogspot.se/

Swedish university of agricultural sciences

Swedish university of agricultural sciences

"Independent" Swedish media

The major problem during my conflict with the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences was to make them following the legal procedures. Several colleagues insistently recommended me to contact Swedish newspapers and TV. They were sure that the main goal of Swedish mass media is to honestly inform public about what is going on in Sweden and abroad. I already had an experience with Swedish media and was not that optimistic. Few years ago my Russian friend was accused of being a spy (he must be Russian, otherwise who would believe to the story?). The information about his “spying activities” were changed several times: from being suspected in an intention to kill all Swedish potato with dangerous virus; to the accusation of biking around Uppsala on his old bicycle and gathering information about the “secret objects”. Nevertheless, some newspapers contacted me asking for an interview, but when they found out that my point of view differ from the “correct” one, they immediately lost their interest.

Well, since my colleagues were very sure that that was very-very atypical for Sweden they insisted on contacting Swedish media. The more media we sent the information about what is going on in SLU the longer became faces of my optimistic colleagues. None even replied us! When at last the local TV station sent a crew to make the interview my colleagues became very happy, and clapping me on the shoulder, they ensured me that now we attract public attention to the problem and SLU will be forced to follow the rules. However, the short story about the conflict between SLU and a student has never been shown.

Probably, my case is a very small problem to make Swedish public be aware of. However, how one can explain that Swedish media refuse to publish even comments of Ambassadors on the articles, which accused other countries in “bad deeds”. The answer is: the only one point of view should be translated to the Swedish public. The “correct” one!

Below is the comment of the Russian Embassy on refuse of the Swedish newspaper to publish the reply of the Ambassador Mr. Neverov to their article (Google-translation from Swedish):

“In connection with the recent tragic events in Boston wrote on Apr. 21, 2013 "Dagens Nyheter" editor Peter Wolodarski an article, the Russian Federation's Ambassador to Sweden Igor Neverov preparing a response notice, the "Daily News" chose not to publish the reference to "... the Russia has a different perspective on the last decades of conflict in Chechnya than that found expression in the Daily News last ... not for us to make room for a rebuttal "(signed John Aman, director of the master editor). Given that Russia's perspective is not so well known in Swedish media took the ambassador's decision to publish the above answer, the article on the Embassy website.”

Now which country should be accused in totalitarianism?

What for SLU keeps Student Ombudsman?

Or Who pays the piper calls the tune

After my studentship was withdrawn, I tried all possible ways to start communication with the SLU authorities. I even appealed to so called Student Ombudsman. The first Ombudsman I contacted advised me to withdraw my complaint against the SLU from the Higher Education Authority and to start begging the top bureaucrats to pity me. The reason provided was very interesting: SLU is too powerful to fight against (like I didn't know it before!). I didn't follow the advice because I already spent six months trying to “get in touch” with the university.

Well, when another ombudsman contacted me after a while, I tried to dispel some suspicions that started to bother me: for whom ombudsman really works? Where lays his loyalty?

Swedish university of agricultural sciences Swedish university of agricultural sciences

Swedish university of agricultural sciences Swedish university of agricultural science

From: Monika A

Sent: 30 January 2013 09:05

To: Elena K

Subject:

Swedish university of agricultural sciences Swedish university of agricultural science

Dear Elena,

My name is Monika A, and I very recently came back from my parental leave as PhD-student commissioner. I heard that you’ve been in contact with Nina and Anna who fill in for me during my leave of absence. If you want to see me, do get in touch.

Kind regards, Monika

Swedish university of agricultural sciences Swedish university of agricultural science

Monika A

Doktorandombudsman/PhD-student commissioner

Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet

Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences

Doktorandombudsmannen

Box 7010, 750 07 UPPSALA

Besöksadress: Hampus von Posts väg 8

Swedish university of agricultural sciences Swedish university of agricultural science

Swedish university of agricultural sciences Swedish university of agricultural science

Swedish university of agricultural sciences Swedish university of agricultural science

Swedish university of agricultural sciences Swedish university of agricultural science

Från: Elena K

Skickat: den 1 februari 2013 00:55

Till: Monika A

Ämne: RE:

Swedish university of agricultural sciences Swedish university of agricultural science

Dear Dr. A,

Thank you for contacting me. I would highly appreciate any help and advice. I have got a serious problems while doing my PhD projects at SLU. So, I got in touch with Dr. A when she was appointed as a PhD-student commissioner.

I would like to know your point of view on my case and, of course, would appreciate any advice about how to involve my University into a reasonable discussion. But before I provide more details on my case, I would be thankful if you can clarify for me one sensible question: are you an SLU's employee or the the state's one?

Thank you in advance for your answer!

Regards,

Elena

Swedish university of agricultural sciences Swedish university of agricultural science

Swedish university of agricultural sciences Swedish university of agricultural science

Swedish university of agricultural sciences Swedish university of agricultural science

Swedish university of agricultural sciences Swedish university of agricultural science

From: Monika A

Sent: 04 February 2013 15:41

To: Elena K

Subject: SV:

Swedish university of agricultural sciences Swedish university of agricultural science

Dear Elena,

I am stationed at the Division of Student Affairs and Learning Development, but my position is independent in many aspects. I do, for example, have professional secrecy. In a few cases I have collaborated with the union (of course only with permission from the individual PhD-student). I have also worked together with the PhD-student councils in driving through improvements on a more general basis. When it comes to certain legal aspects I also have some contacts outside SLU.

Swedish university of agricultural sciences Swedish university of agricultural science

Kind regards, Monika

Swedish university of agricultural sciences Swedish university of agricultural science

Meaning: the Student Ombudsman is paid by SLU

Question: whose interests will Student Ombudsman defend? If you can't guess now, scroll down.

Swedish university of agricultural sciences Swedish university of agricultural science

Swedish university of agricultural sciences Swedish university of agricultural science

Swedish university of agricultural sciences Swedish university of agricultural science

Every time when I contacted SLU authorities regarding newly invented problems, I added our Student Ombudsman on a mailing list to keep her informed. However, no reaction ever came from her. Recently, my “supervisor group” decided to withdraw the rest of my study resources and for the thousandth time I sent my protest against the violation of the rules. I was expecting at least any reaction from our Ombudsman and when it didn't come, I wondered:

Swedish university of agricultural sciences Swedish university of agricultural science

Swedish university of agricultural sciences Swedish university of agricultural science

Swedish university of agricultural sciences Swedish university of agricultural science

Swedish university of agricultural sciences Swedish university of agricultural science

From: Elena K

Sent: 12 April 2013 12:30

To: Monika A

Subject: your opinion

Swedish university of agricultural sciences Swedish university of agricultural science

Dear Dr. A,

On April 12, 2013 I sent you a copy of my letter addressed to SLU administration. There I again express my protest against illegal procedure of appointment of new supervisor group. Since October 2012 I have been asking SLU administration to change their decision, but my requests were ignored. Neither I was given any explanations about the reasons of such decision. Since you are the student ombudsmen at SLU, I would like to know your opinion about this situation.

Regards,Swedish university of agricultural sciences Swedish university of agricultural science

Elena KSwedish university of agricultural sciences Swedish university of agricultural science

Swedish university of agricultural sciences Swedish university of agricultural science

Swedish university of agricultural sciences Swedish university of agricultural science

Swedish university of agricultural sciences Swedish university of agricultural science

and I wondered again:Swedish university of agricultural sciences Swedish university of agricultural 

Swedish university of agricultural sciences Swedish university of agricultural science

From: Elena K

Sent: 15 April 2013 06:53

To: Monika ASwedish university of agricultural sciences Swedish university of agricultural science

Subject: FW: your opinion

Dear Dr. A,Swedish university of agricultural sciences Swedish university of agricultural science

On April 12, 2013 I sent you a copy of my letter addressed to SLU administration (the file enclosed). There I again express my protest against illegal procedure of appointment of new supervisor group. Since October 2012 I have been asking SLU administration to change their decision, but my requests were ignored. Neither I was given any explanations about the reasons of such decision. Since you are the student ombudsmen at SLU, I would like to know your opinion about this situation.

Regards,Swedish university of agricultural sciences Swedish university of agricultural science

Elena KalleSwedish university of agricultural sciences Swedish university of agricultural science

Swedish university of agricultural sciences Swedish university of agricultural science

Swedish university of agricultural sciences Swedish university of agricultural science

and again :Swedish university of agricultural sciences Swedish university of agricultural science

Swedish university of agricultural sciences Swedish university of agricultural science

Från: Elena KSwedish university of agricultural sciences Swedish university of agricultural science

Skickat: den 18 april 2013 05:44

Till: Monika ASwedish university of agricultural sciences Swedish university of agricultural science

Ämne: FW: your opinion

Swedish university of agricultural sciences Swedish university of agricultural science

Dear Dr. A,Swedish university of agricultural sciences Swedish university of agricultural science

On April 12, 2013 I sent you a copy of my letter addressed to SLU administration (the file enclosed). There I again express my protest against illegal procedure of appointment of new supervisor group. Since October 2012 I have been asking SLU administration to change their decision, but my requests were ignored. Neither I was given any explanations about the reasons of such decision. Since you are the student ombudsmen at SLU, I would like to know your opinion about this situation.

Regards,Swedish university of agricultural sciences Swedish university of agricultural science

Elena KalleSwedish university of agricultural sciences Swedish university of agricultural science

Swedish university of agricultural sciences Swedish university of agricultural science

Swedish university of agricultural sciences Swedish university of agricultural science

Swedish university of agricultural sciences Swedish university of agricultural science

And the answer came at last:

Swedish university of agricultural sciences Swedish university of agricultural science

From: Monika ASwedish university of agricultural sciences Swedish university of agricultural science

Sent: 18 April 2013 09:05

To: Elena KSwedish university of agricultural sciences Swedish university of agricultural science

Subject: SV: your opinion

Swedish university of agricultural sciences Swedish university of agricultural science

Dear Elena,Swedish university of agricultural sciences Swedish university of agricultural science

I've been away on official business, and the rest of this week is fully-booked. I'll get back to you as soon as I can.Swedish university of agricultural sciences Swedish university of agricultural science

Take care!Swedish university of agricultural sciences Swedish university of agricultural science

Kind regards, MonikaSwedish university of agricultural sciences Swedish university of agricultural science Swedish university of agricultural sciences Swedish university of agricultural scienceSwedish university of agricultural sciences Swedish university of agricultural scienceSwedish university of agricultural sciences Swedish university of agricultural science

I am going to send our Student Ombudsman a link to this post and asked her to comment on it. As soon as she replies her comments will be posted without any censorship.Swedish university of agricultural sciences Swedish university of agricultural science Swedish university of agricultural sciences Swedish university of agricultural science Swedish university of agricultural sciences Swedish university of agricultural science

And now I would like to share with you some quotes from the replay that SLU sent to the Uppsala District Court answering my complaint (the complete versions of all documents will be posted later):

Swedish university of agricultural sciences Swedish university of agricultural science

“Employment as a doctoral student is a temporal form of employment regulated by Chapter 5 of the Higher Education Ordinance (HF). In the case of employment that are temporary pursuant to the HF, unlike employments that have been limited in time according to the Employment Protection Act (LAS), no separate notice need to be made in connection with the termination of such an employment.”

“As its first ground, the plaintiff (probably they meant defendant) asserts that all of the plaintiff's requests for relief are time-barred. Elena K has thereby lost her right to her claim pursuant to the Security of Employment Act (LAS), Section 42. In the event that the District Court should find that one or more of Elena's request for relief is not time-barred, SLU assert that this part of the Complaint should be denied, as Elena K had a temporary employment, which expired legally, so that no voiding of the notice of termination, request for relief by a declaration that the employment agreement will continue in force until further notice, or any damages pursuant to the Employment Protection Act (LAS) will apply”Swedish university of agricultural sciences Swedish university of agricultural science

“ A party who intends to request a declaration to void a notice of termination, pursuant to LAS §40, must notify the employer about this no later then two weeks after the termination took place. .. A person who wishes to demand damages pursuant to LAS §41 is required to notify the opposite party of this within four months of the date of commencement of the action that caused the injury or loss. “

Swedish universitSwedish university of agricultural sciences Swedish university of agricultural scienceSwedish university of agricultural sciences Swedish university of agricultural science sciences Swedish university of agricultural science

Summarizing: PhD is a position with a temporal employment. The employment is renewed every year. If your supervisor decides not to renew it, he is in his full rights. No explanations to you must be provided. No notifications should be expected. You have only two weeks to complain!

And here comes again our Student Ombudsman. If you would follow “good advices” to contact the Student Ombudsman and go into discussions and meetings you would spend precious time and lose the tiny chance to get your case investigated! That is the main reason why SLU keeps Ombudsman. If Ombudsman would be installed to watch the students' rights he would be employed by the State in order to be unbiased. However, if Ombudsman is paid by SLU, would he do anything against his employer, knowing that “SLU is too powerful to fight against”?Swedish university of agricultural sciences Swedish university of agricultural scienceSwedish university of agricultural sciences Swedish university of agricultural scienceSwedish university of agricultural sciences Swedish university of agricultural scienceSwedish university of agricultural sciences Swedish university of agricultural scienceSwedish university of agricultural sciences Swedish university of agricultural science