Shared with her permission

Within my PhD cohort of 35 doctoral candidates, 2 were younger students flowing on from their Masters degrees. 33 of us were working full time – in the same job pools of hard work, dedication and seniority of Honorary Doctorate candidates and awardees.

Most of us had families and mortgages. We committed to the estimated 20 – 40 hours per week (part time vs full time) of hard research, intensive academic mentoring and scrutiny, rigorous academic processes and hours and hours of academic writing to produce a thesis document of rigorous expert originality to contribute to the human condition and knowledge base.

Honorary doctorates are vanity doctorates…

Many hon docs use their Dr title professionally and publicly and there are some in Darwin. I worked OMG long and hard hours to gain a PhD to find it less than valued by our NT education dept yet my thesis was applauded, awarded, used and quoted interstate and overseas.

I assure you that seeing ceremonial doctorates handed out for university vanity and ‘feel good- plenary speakers and donations is not something I endorse. Give someone a plaque or a pretty parchment certificate but get rid of the hon docs.

I use my Dr with pride. It’s a little like giving Australia Day awards to people doing their jobs.

Should a retired poticians get an OAM for being an ex Chief Minister (who was paid exceptionally well and did his job)? Should paid University, industry, political or professional people or celebrities be awarded Hon Docs for doing their jobs??

For contributing to society in their own ways but without the hard yards of academic rigour?