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News: Talk online about your experiences as an adjunct, visiting assistant professor, postdoc, or other contract faculty member.
 
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Author Topic: That darn title  (Read 5751 times)
sagit
Formerly Ed
Distinguished Senior Member
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Posts: 1,189


« Reply #15 on: January 07, 2012, 07:50:47 AM »

I choose none of the above.  

Instead, I would speak to the postdoc in person (or call him on the phone if that's not possible) and request the same courtesy he extends to his supervisor.  I would specifically note that failing to extend to me that same courtesy makes it look like he doesn't respect women above him in rank, and that such practices could hurt him in professional ways in the future, because academia is full of hierarchies.

In other words, make this a mentoring moment, and treat him as if you are helping to socialize him to professional practices in your field -- even if that's not true, and women are routinely treated like crap.

I agree with this (or if maybe a polite email if necessary).  The postdoc should be informed of problems with the way he addressed you.  If faculty do not address problems like this, even "small" ones, then nothing will improve in academics for women and minorities. 
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oldfullprof
Not really retired...
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Posts: 7,755

Representation is not reproduction!


« Reply #16 on: January 10, 2012, 05:39:43 PM »

2, or what System D said.  It's hard to tell if this kind of thing is deliberate or not.  But it can erode you.  Buzzsaw, referred to on another thread, made a point of introducing me to medical doctors as "Dr. 'Them,' this is 'my first name.'"  I'd always instantly correct her by smiling, shaking hands, and saying, "Dr. My last name."  I think she started telling others I was "rude."  I prefer to say "direct."   
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Someone please tell me to start entering data, rather than screwing off here.
gekko
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Posts: 397


« Reply #17 on: January 10, 2012, 08:41:25 PM »

Wow. It's been an entire week since a thread with this topic. Since it occurs so often and the issue still persists, I recommend forehead tattoos indicating preferred form of address.
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larryc
Hu hatin'
Distinguished Senior Member
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Posts: 18,285

Eschew the hu.


WWW
« Reply #18 on: January 11, 2012, 12:04:13 AM »

Pick up the phone. Talk about something else completely, keep it light, and then ask: "By the way, John, I can't help but notice that when you email me and Bill you address him as Dr. Smith and me as Sally. What is up with that?"

He may very well see it as an act of friendliness or gallantry or whatever.
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laurel_knx
Senior member
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Posts: 518


« Reply #19 on: January 11, 2012, 10:16:19 AM »

Pick up the phone. Talk about something else completely, keep it light, and then ask: "By the way, John, I can't help but notice that when you email me and Bill you address him as Dr. Smith and me as Sally. What is up with that?"

He may very well see it as an act of friendliness or gallantry or whatever.

Yeah, I like a non-confrontational in-person approach to calling someone's BS. Of course, PhD comics has taught us that email signatures are powerful punishment tools: http://www.phdcomics.com/comics.php?f=1413
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