Imagine telling someone that they look too “woke” in an industry like academia which, in many ways, epitomizes wokeness. OP’s professor is on some bullshit fr.
I work in STEM academia and I'm covered in tatoos and no one cares. They only care where I've published (NeurIPS etc) and how many students I have under me.
You're correct. The wokeness is very pronounced in the humanities and social sciences. It is very muted in many areas of STEM. That's not to say STEM doesn't sway left; it does. But nobody is going to applaud you for being vocal about it, whereas many philosophy or Caribbean studies departments would embrace wearing your politics on your sleeve.
UK, so possibly a different bag - I switched from a humanities (ish) subject into the sciences (bio) - I’ve not experienced a drop off in ‘wokeness’ at all.
I am covered in tattoos, piercings, and other interesting choices, and have never had a negative experience in academia wrt the way I look. In fact, a senior professor recently told me they were sad because I’d stripped all the colour out of my hair so I doubled down am now brighter than ever!
I associate hair color and tattoos with alternative, not “woke”. There’s more overlap with tattoos and such on the left, but what the commenters above are talking about has more to do with sociopolitical ideology.
OP said the initial comment was because they “look too woke” which was followed by a description of hair and tattoos. My comment was wrt the implication that their aesthetic may have perhaps influenced the professor’s comments, and an example of that particular concern not having been an issue in my experience in STEM. Many people in the UK do still equate what you think of as an alternative aesthetic with the likelihood of having left sociopolitical leanings - so in many ways, at least here, they are intrinsically linked, particularly by people who may be biased against one or both.
I did say that I’ve not experienced a reduction in literal, rather than implied wokeness moving from humanities(ish) to STEM, too which speaks to the culture more generally.
I can clarify if you like that I am also very openly and obviously extremely left leaning (not left of centre, but true left) and beyond living for 14 years under a government who are utter a*holes, I have had zero issues with it - in fact, being outspoken where I work about my standpoints on institutional and governmental policy points that I feel most strongly about have similarly not resulted in my career being tanked.
As with all of these things there will be a lot of variance between institutions, subjects, and individuals. If OP is concerned that they will fail because of an appearance of wokeness my 10p is that 1 person’s negativity need not make them rethink their entire future.
I agree with the bulk of your comment but in the United States, philosophy is notoriously conservative compared to the rest of the humanities. It also has an abysmal record of misogyny and harassment. I wish it weren’t so.
This is so interesting, I've never heard this before but it tracks with my experience. I studied philosophy at undergrad in the UK and was bullied into leaving by my supervisor who thought I was too working class to be studying for a degree.
That was his explicitly stated reason, anyway -- maybe there was some misogyny in the mix, maybe he didn't gel with me because I'm autistic (undiagnosed back then). I expected it to be an open-minded field where I might feel at home, but I never fitted in.
I can think of many STEM professors in very prestigious departments (including “old school” prestigious, i.e., top Ivies) with colored hair and tattoos.
Yeah but “long hair and mustache on a guy” is super, super techy. It’s not “engineering culture” but that’s dead anyway, and doctors don’t have enough time to worry about being jerks
Absolutely. When I did my PhD in STEM 15 years ago, one of our postdocs had dyed hair and piercings. She had a great story of when she was trying to get her first postdoc she was struggling so eventually took out a lot of the piercings and dyed her hair back to a natural colour for an interview. She turned up at the interview and the PI had half her head shaved and the other half was silver, and she had piercings and visible tattoos. She got the job!
Nah, that's a bunch of bullshit. I have short hair (often purple) and visible tattoos. I'm in political science, which can be more conservative than anthropology, and I have never had a problem.
The professor who told you this is out of touch and projecting. Heck, I used to teach in the Deep South and the tats were not an issue.
Yeah, I read this and said, “someone is saying this in anthropology?!?”
I have a few tattoos, went through the tenure track with varying shades of hair color, etc. no one cares.
I went to a sociology conference with a lot of anthro and psych people and I was floored by how *cool* everyone looked, lol. I’m not tatted but so many people were, and lots of us had colored hair and piercings. (Also everyone was really attractive lol I was like dang!)
I agree with your post as a whole, nobody cares about your style in academia except for old farts who are on thier way out anyway. But I wanted to say one thing.
> my political point of view (which is leftist, but who isn't in academia?)
Academia might not be as homogeneous as you think. Especially anything under the STEM umbrella (which I include anthropology in). Maybe liberal arts are different but I'm just speaking from my own experience as someone in academic STEM.
Many trainees and grad students will say that they are leftists, but everyone, especially those who aren't very political inclined, has different definitions of that word. A lot of young people might use the word leftist when they mean that vote for progressive democrats, not that they want to overthrow the political order and institute communist government.
If you're a progressive democrat, do yourself a favor and avoid using the word leftist so that you don't get lumped in with the revolutionary types. If you're a Das Kapital type leftist, do yourself a favor and be careful around certain people. Not all young graduate students agree with you, and you shouldn't assume that they do. More importantly, MANY, MANY authority figures (by which I mean the people who hold actual power in academia) hate this way of thinking and will actively discriminate against you for it.
I wanna be clear I'm not speaking from the perspective of someone who's for or against leftist politics, I'm just making you aware that academics isn't as politically homogeneous as Fox News claims.
I would say my STEM colleagues are probably more centrist than anything else. Quite balanced in their opinions, but primarily that they'll make up their own mind on each issue. In my experience, anyone who openly call themself "leftist" or "right wing" is quite likely to dismiss opinions of those not on their "side".
This is exactly how I feel. It might be confirmation bias on my part, but it always seems like the black-and-white thinkers don’t make it as far in STEM.
I was thinking of trying to make a comment along these lines... i.e. 'black-and-white thinkers don't make it as fas in STEM'. I think this hits the nail on the head. If you come across as being on one extreme or the other it might appear as if you might have too many preconceived ideas and a certain inflexibility that goes along with it. In science you're constantly assuming you don't have all the answers, are learning every day and there's a certain humility you need to be very comfortable with.
Maybe in some aerospace engineering and economics departments, but this is not borne out by the data at all. All of Academia is significantly left to the US as a whole. The famously conservative economics is somewhere between 1:2 and 1:5 Republican to Democrats depending on what particular survey you're looking at. For reference, 1:2 is a skewed enough ratio that people would contemplate calling your district a "D plus infinity" district, and at 1:3 they definitely would. The 1:2 surveys are probably more accurate fwiw.
You may not find many straight up communists and general anticapitalists outside of humanities departments, but there's a world of difference between that and being right wing. The actual ideological "battleground" so to speak is whether you'd hypothetically primary Obama or Bernie Sanders. Not whether you'd vote for Obama or George W Bush. There's a lot of left leaning centrists in STEM, and there's also a lot of firm progressives. Actual conservatives are very rare.
From Wikipedia:
“anthropology, “the science of humanity,” which studies human beings in aspects ranging from the biology and evolutionary history of Homo sapiens to the features of society and culture that decisively distinguish humans from other animal species.”
I think at least parts of it must fall under STEM. I mean, parts are obviously more sociology, but I can’t the vibe of the anthropology community is dramatically different from say, ecology.
Archeology, sure, it may be more scientific. Most of anthropology is cultural, though. It is very much a liberal arts discipline, that is its classification.
>If you're a progressive democrat, do yourself a favor and avoid using the word leftist so that you don't get lumped in with the revolutionary types. If you're a Das Kapital type leftist, do yourself a favor and be careful around certain people.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=iS-0Az7dgRY
I think the fact this senior professor pointed out their “wokeness” a problem immediately shows there are differing opinions in academia.
I once was part of a meeting with a professor from UCLA who spent far too long complaining about how their kid didn’t get into an ivy because of “immigrants” and “affirmative action”. Then boldly claimed that it’s unfair because their kid is “obviously smarter than and deserved it more than some leech”. This guy is from Russia and married into his green card.
I have been in this business for more than 30 years. Let me assure you that TONS of anthropologists have tattoos and piercings and wear weird clothes. It's completely on-brand for the discipline! Yeah, you might want to spiff up a bit when you interview (like, tie your hair back neatly, make sure your mustache is also tidy, etc); other than that, nobody gives a shit.
100% - you still need to make an effort for interviews etc, but beyond that nobody cares. I'm an archaeologist and I have colleagues with tattoos, piercings, weird hair whatever - all I care about is how good they are at their job and whether they're a decent colleague
I wouldn’t take any one person’s advice too seriously.
To speak to your broader question, people will definitely judge you on your appearance and your (if you will) aura. This could impact one’s career but my guess is that for most people it’s a much smaller impact than other factors.
And of course it’s field-dependent. I’d guess that in some fields “looking woke” (whatever the hell that actually means) could be a plus and not a minus.
I think he just wants you to dress more conservatively. You could choose to do this or not to do this. Either way, I wouldn’t worry too much about it. I got all kinds of comments about the way I dressed back when I was a PhD student. The way I dress has changed, but also, I don’t tend to care when other people think.
I mean, you won't be a candidate at Liberty U or Hillsdale, or at religious schools where you have to sign a code of conduct, but I doubt you'd be applying there.
Be able to read the room and don't deliberately freak out elderly donors and you'll be fine.
oh god no please dont take them seriously i know bunch of "woke" looking people who is in academia and they are very successful (and i look like that too ahaha)
Old guard are still caught up in the trauma the academic and professional world placed upon them regarding appearance. It’s definitely changing but you should always be cognizant of your surroundings.
If you’re the odd one out appearance wise, you’re going to be fighting an uphill battle because you’re in a different type of culture. So being aware of the culture around you is important. I know the PC thing to say is, “you do you boo, own it” but sadly the old guard is still very much at the top and living longer than ever, so yes, be yourself but be aware of what those around you say/do. You’d be surprised how unprogressive academia can be.
Also, how do they know your politics? Did they assume or do you make them known? That’s another thing that can stunt your career. Treat all these people as coworkers and not friends. They’re on a need to know basis regarding most things in your personal life, especially politics.
He was trying to be nice. He is just bad at it and a little misguided.
Older people have old opinions about how people look. There is some truth to those opinions, but the standards aren’t universal and they do evolve.
I’m about 60. In my four decades of professional experience, I have found a couple of things to be true. First, if you look and dress better, people think more highly of you and treat you better. Second, the people higher up the ladder tend to be older and have older, more conservative ideas about how people should look and dress.
BUT, the world is changing and standards about how people should look and dress are also changing. And academia tolerates a much wider range of people and looks than many other places, especially if you are good at what you do.
Tattoos are normal these days, especially in social sciences. Long hair is, too. Your old colleague is just wrong about those things. Other old farts might share his opinions, but your academic record is much, much more important, and those oldsters will be gone before too long anyway.
I’ll tell you what I tell my two LGBT children, because it seems relevant here: “Never change who you are to make anyone else happy. If someone has a problem with who you are, it’s their problem, not yours. If they don’t like that, they can get fucked.”
Fellow social scientist here in policy space - heavily and visibly tattooed, heavy makeup wearer, goth presenting. I work at a government institution in the South and my appearance is not an issue. When I have meetings that call for it, I cover my tattoos with a blazer…which I would be wearing anyway. This dude sounds like a dinosaur. You’ll be fine, my dude.
Yes - some colleagues will absolutely judge you based on your appearance, and will refuse to work with you or distance themselves in other ways. Be thankful - it makes it *way* easier to identify toxic jerks early!
"...and my political point of view (which is leftist, but who isn't in academia?)"
More people than you might think. I am mostly centre-right although I align with "the left" on some topics, too. I find it really off-putting when people I work alongside with go off about politics, especially when it's clear they aren't open to talking to someone with a different opinion or seem to make value judgements of others, as people, solely for having an opinion they don't like. I've seen this countless times (in academia as well as industry) and it creates an unwelcoming atmosphere.
It's possible that this person's views are perhaps on the way out/outdated. I think the comments about your looks might fall into that category: "decent" and "professional" people have tattoos now, this guy just may not have received the memo.
But the comment about your behaviour with regards to sharing your political views, especially when unrelated to the work, probably has some merit to it. Ignore at your peril.
PS: With regards to looks. The most important thing is that your grooming and hygiene is in order, and that you wear clothes that fit your shape/size, and that you wear something that fits the occasion (although in academia, usually it's totally fine to wear something quite casual).
PPS: I want to chime in with the person who considers anthropology as STEM. That hasn't been my experience in STEM at all. AFAIK, "we" see that field as Humanities. Although maybe it kind of has one foot in both STEM and the humanities depending on what kind of anthropology you do.
Secondly: I look like the typical "woke" person, as in: I shave part of my head but what I left to grow is really long, I dye my hair, I shaved my eyebrows (they are now permanently basically gone), I have stretched earlobes, I also have tattoos (although not visible), and I wear androgynous, "alternative" clothing (casual goth). Please don't assume everyone who looks "alternative" is (far) left.
Tattoos, long hair and moustaches really aren't the political hurdle they were. (I mean use your discretion on placement and content, but getting fussed about a reasonably discrete artsy tatt in 2024 is a bit much. Face tattoo miiiiight be a different ball game lol)
It can't hurt to dress to the room you are in though. Code switching goes both ways. It probably isn't the worst idea in the world, to borrow a friend and have a fresh set of eye look at your work capsule. Maybe stuff has shrunk weird, or just doesn't fit anymore. Then make a few adjustments. Doesn't have to be crazy, hit the thrift store, couple crisp shirts and a well fitting blazer. But if starting with something super simple makes an impact on how these people perceive you, it would be a bit silly not to. Worst case scenario you have a couple new shirts.
I had a manager that gave me SUPER vague advice about being unprofessionally dressed for like 6 months. Before I figured out that this woman just hated when I wore sneakers in general, but SPECIFICALLY converse sneakers. Like... k no big deal, could have saved us both some time! I didn't even wear them often, but they annoyed her, so that's what stuck with her. People are weird.
Don't change everything for other people, but if it's a small thing and it helps improve your professional persona? eh why not.
OP, you sound like you have a lot of good things going for yourself which is great and brings me to my point: you need to understand that there will be more people like this senior prof who are incredibly successful but will feel intimidated by what you have going on for yourself. And what happens when one feels intimidated? They make unsavory comments just like what you’ve heard in an attempt to maintain that superior status they feel they have over you. A clip-your-wings sorta thing.
Please, please, please, do not waste time that could be directed towards more productive exercises and try to decode or make sense of this person. He will not be the first and sadly, won’t be the last to do such to you. So, take this in stride and if there is any lesson worth learning from this, it is to never allow yourself be that kind of person - one who becomes uncomfortable by another’s well-deserved progress. Internet hugs to you.
I don’t agree with most of the responses here. Yes, you will be judged based on how you look. That is not politically correct to say, but it is a fact of life. We judge people based on how they look, all of us. Sometimes we successfully suppress the urge, but it’s there.
There are of course counter-examples of people who look different and yet have done well. I’m not saying it will destroy your career. But yes, the first thing people know about you is often what you look like, and people form pre-conceptions.
Specifically in academia, there are a lot of older people (just for example), who have more traditional expectations. They have voting power just like the more tolerant folks. Generally speaking, especially if you’re in a vulnerable position like the tt or postdoc job market, you want to present a version of yourself that will potentially present the fewest speed bumps possible.
After you get tenure, you could probably get a full-body yakuza style tattoo, dye your hair purple, and get your tongue split, and probably care less about what other people think about it. But there might still be some conservative PM’s out there who see you in a conference and are not amused.
I agree. Redditors like to give terrible advice since they don't have to deal with the consequences. Yes it would be great if we could live in a world where physical appearance wasn't a factor, but unless OP finds a magical bridge to this fictional world they are still constrained by the same shit as the rest of us.
This is very true, and I also find it very odd how everybody here is just brushing aside the opinion of the only person who actually knows what OP looks like. It's one person so they could very well just be an out of touch asshat, but the timing doesn't really imply that (this is when OP should be seriously thinking about that kind of stuff).
The too quick to share political views is also probably just true given OP's response to that particular criticism (Academia is left but not so left that "who isn't leftist" is a serious statement), and I wouldn't be surprised if that's really the criticism rather than the dress. One of those things where people wouldn't think twice about your appearance until you start dropping "this is the problem with latestage capitalism" bombs randomly.
Academia, even in social sciences and humanities, can be very toxic. About the absurd comment--take it as a learning moment that the people whose works we may admire are not necessarily decent. They may lack even the basic social understanding. Become what this senior professor could never be--a strong academic who is also a decent human being. Academia is bad for mental health. Marshal your resources to guard your psychological health and finish your PhD successfully. You are on the right path. The range of amazing works you have done points to a bright future.
The senior professor may have been trying to help OP rather than trying to be a jerk. Things have changed somewhat, but it has long been the case that appearance does matter to some extent. That said, in academia quality of work is more important, and there are a lot of anthropologists who are non-conformists.
You are right. But to be honest, I have seen so many aspiring scholars crushed by careless, albeit at times, "kind" recommendations. Yes, physical appearance does still matter for academic job interviews and campus visits. But I would never put a young scholar's quality of work and general character under question because of their appearances. My main recommendation is to guard their psychological health against such advices.
As you continue to grow and learn, you will learn that those people who you look up to are often not that tall.
As a post-doc, I was asked to give a talk in my old university and many of those people I looked up to during my PhD were present. One in particular I almost worked for. After my talk, which was pretty cutting edge science, I admit (riding on the shoulders of giants), this guy asked the most stupid question I have ever hear before or since. It was hard to keep a straight face.
Do your own thing and carve your own path.
One of my sister's professors told her very emphatically that she shouldn't try to be a barrister because she's a woman and she'd get chewed up and spat out, a failure. She's now a judge and was when she was younger one of the youngest in the country.
I think the woman was trying to be helpful? Maybe the guy is trying to be helpful but is deep down a bit of a c*nt?
In anthro? I've been to west coast anthro conferences and it is basically hippie and alternative central. The only people I see dress more formally did their schooling on the east coast and they still give hipster vibes.
A general rule is that you can safely ignore the professional advice of anyone who uses the word "woke" both earnestly and pejoratively. Or talks about your aura. Find more insightful people for career advice.
Many folks have responded with (deserved!) admiration for your accomplishments and (also deserved!) ridicule of this professor’s remarks, so I’ll concentrate on “now I don’t know what to think of him”: I’m so sorry. It’s awful to learn that someone you once thought highly of holds strange, prejudicial, and inaccurate beliefs, and even more awful when those beliefs are directed at you, as an judgment of your character and as a liability no less. I’ve experienced this in a few different ways, and what has helped me is to remember that in those instances, I am not learning anything new about myself—I’m learning something new about the other person. That helps me treat it as a loss to be grieved: the sense I had of this person, and the relationship I thought I had with this person, is gone. That feeling deserves to be honored as a true sadness, but it isn’t something that I need to internalize as a verdict about myself. In practical terms, I often have to continue to be cordial with these kinds of folks, but I am more guarded around them and I no longer take their feedback as seriously as I may once have.
Easier said than done, I know, especially when these things open old wounds and personal insecurities! But it really is true that nothing about you has been “uncovered” here—you’re still a wildly accomplished person who, by all accounts, is doing good and successful work, with beliefs (your politics) and a personality (your … “aura”?) that you stand by. This guy is the one who’s been unmasked, not you.
And just to reiterate what others have said in case it helps you feel in good company: I’m as left as they come, four tattoos (large, and two are consistently visible), nine piercings (some facial), and on my second R1 TT job. More or less no one gives a crap. The people who DO give a crap are the ones who like it! Students often ask for the stories behind the tats.
Academia is the most woke environment I've been in.
I wouldn't worry about the opinions of a random professor. A lot of profs give out a lot of advice, and not all of it is good.
I had a prof with two full sleeves but who covered them up for class. This was a little while back though so I don't think it would be as big a deal these days.
It's not exactly about how you look, it's how your outfit looks. The comment is too blunt and quite hurtful, sure, but they probably just told you very directly about the way things are where you are. It's not your face or height or weight and I think it would be wise to adapt to the environment.
Nah, you'll be fine. As long as the tattoos are inoffensive and you keep your long hair and beard hygienic (not everyone does!). Loads of academics where I work have long hair and a beard, not sure about tattoos but maybe I've just not noticed.
Is this Professor even in academia?? I dress pretty conservatively but some of my colleagues have all sorts of tattoos and different hairstyles. I was at a small conference last week with some well-known Professors (at least in my field) and they were sporting huge beards and top knots.
no-one gives a shit what you look like or the aura you emit. This Professor is living in the 19th Century. Ignore him and his comments.
He's adapted to a world that no longer exist.
You are adapted to today's world.
You're fine :) Don't worry about this opinion.
You might want to choose another director because he will be the blockade he believes you could meet.
Would he dare say that to a female student? I'm assuming you are a man due to the stash, but us ladies can sometimes have them too!
That is outrageous and totally unprofessional. Commenting on a person's looks says more about your professor than you. I like people with unique style. I think it makes them stand out in a good way. It's show's confidence.
You don't sound like you're going to have any issue. And remember, any place that won't hire you/value your contributions because of the way you look is probably not a place you want to be anyway.
That professor sounds like a tool. Everyone in academia has tattoos and piercings and colored hair. Mustaches are in style again. I know a male MD/PhD candidate who had very long hair and just donated it. Most people are liberal/ leftist. Sounds like the professor wants to gatekeep and make sure everyone is as boring as they are.
Oh OP! I hope you don’t let your professor get to you. You worked so hard to get to where you are. People have such a narrow scope of view of what academics “should look like” but the whole point of expanding our scope and getting our knowledge out there is not only reaching diverse audiences but also showing ourselves in our work. You may be considered eccentric but that doesn’t take away from your hard work and your knowledge. It sounds like your professor is the one that needs to get with the times and learn not all of us are gonna look the same but that doesn’t and shouldn’t discredit our work. Unfortunately there will be more people like him out there, especially if they feel threatened by your brilliance so they just *need* something to pick at about you. Keep your head up Mr finish strong. You got this far and you’re almost there. The world needs your knowledge and you have much to contribute
As a scholar i can tell you this is not completely nonsense but it doesn’t mean the end of the world. I have a full sleeve on my right arm, living and working in the Europe since 2010. Worked in The US and few countries in Eu. At first some people will stare you and judge you like you what you are doing in the academy but when you do your thing and be friendly or straight to the point to defend your lifestyle all will be fine. Work hard party hard.. cheers :)
Stodgy old guys aren't the ones you should be looking to listen to for shit like this.
I meet and work with all kinds of people in academia. Yeah if you look a little punk rock or metal or whatever It might slightly put some people off or cause them to take a second look, but it doesn't really matter in the end. People are interested in who you are, what sort of ideas you have, what sort of work you do.
Academia is a broad and diverse environment, that guy just hasn't kept up with the world. Plus some people just prefer tearing others down.
Fuck em
OMG, I think I was one of the few people in my grad program who DIDN'T have a tatoo. Honestly, I think like half of the younger faculty did. This sounds like something I hear from older generations in general, not just academics. You will be fine. Anthropology is a pretty woke field, you'll be fine.
Ignore those comments (though I understand it can be difficult to do so). I have several tattoos (visible) and several piercings and got a permanent post pretty much immediately after my PhD - your looks might matter to some but, if so, are those really people you want to work with anyway?
Dear OP I am very very sorry you had to hear such a disgusting comment.
I think that if you experience any prejudice based on how you look, it will be because that kind of prejudice exists in all industries and it will come out in some way or form in academia. I don't know exactly how. On the other hand, it may assist you in other ways. Who knows!
All I can say is that, you need to put less weight into what this professor says. I have this issue where I value the things people say a lot. Then they might say something even slightly mean and it cripples me. It's something I really have to work on.
What did this professor mean when he said what he said? It doesn't matter. His opinion is no longer important to you because it doesn't serve your agenda to be an academic. He is putting you down, in no helpful way.
Try to think less of this comment, in fact think less of this professor. Every time the thought resurfaces (do I look too woke? Will I struggle? Is it worth it?) Stop yourself and think "the opinion of this professor matters very little to me" and in your minds eye have an image of the professor and make it smaller and smaller and smaller until it is a dot. Then wipe it away. And then think about someone who has encouraged you to study and to pursue a PhD. And turn your attention to them.
Hello OP. I am so sorry this happened to you. Do not let this be the deciding factor for you to decide on doing a PHD. This person was way off base with their comments. As a faculty member and PhD supervisor myself, I would never offer "advice" like this. If you would like to talk, feel free to message me. I am willing offer perspective and give you feedback on strategies for overcoming this.
That's BS. In fact, your look could make you stand out from the crowd. I has a friend with a similar style and it was less about the long hair and more his hygine levels and not keeping his hair clean and detangled.
Some professors, especially the older generation, can be a bit stubborn and old-school with their values and views of the world. Besides, he is a senior professor, established and settled in with his life and career, and he is likely paying less attention to the current job market and/or the vibe and culture in academia so that he is not aware of the changes and transformations.
Don't let his comment define or bother you because you are not confused, and you know who you are and how you would like to present yourself. You can continue appreciating his academic achievements and treat him as one of your academic mentors, but you don't have to agree with him regarding opinions and values in life.
Complete and utter bullshit. Now you know who this person really is, which is good, because you can now protect yourself and look for a different mentor.
I had an older woman tell me that there was no reason to support me on the job market because I weighed so much no one would take me seriously or think I worked hard. I was 160 pounds at 5’7”. She recommended I lose over 60 pounds. :( and yes, she was that size and several women in the program had EDs. It was such a shit show.
Prove people like her and this guy wrong. It’s fun.
You are an anthropologist. This is a perfect research question! Run an experiment.
Start two projects (or teach two classes, etc) with different cohorts. Dress super woke for one group of people, then dress conservative for another. Do a survey afterwards about what perception they had of you.
Ignore him. Looking woke don't got nothing to do with it, and anthro is one of those areas that tolerate folks a little outside of the box. Too many PhDs chasing too few jobs, let alone TT positions, is the real issue. I know a recent Stanford PhD in anthro and archaeology who had two Fulbrights and a year at the Stanford Humanities Center who has only been able to get three-year post-docs. I would never advise a student to pursue a PhD in the humanities or social sciences these days, except for a few subdisciplines.
Key word is senior. Some senior professors are close minded, heck even junior can be close minded. In general, academics don’t give a flying crap about all that. Do kick ass work and that’s the important. Be you :)
From an assistant Professor who is barely five foot tall and has piercings.
If you were trying to work as a model or something, sure.
You're finishing your PhD in anthropology and will probably get into similar. How you look is the most least of your worries
A large proportion of people I know that got a PhD have had someone make a minor comment during their PhD that they hold on to as a major criticism of their work. A PhD is very personal and so even an offhand comment can be interpreted very seriously. Im sorry that this is probably one of those moments for you.
I think everyone can agree this prof is out of touch. I know plenty of successful highly eccentric academics. But maybe you can troll him and say that you take his comments very seriously and ask for suggestions on which mustache wax would be best for your career and present him with two choices.
Complete nonsense. I’m absolutely covered in tattoos, ears and nose pierced, scruffy looking guy. I’ve done extremely well for myself. Times have changed. My success has come from being authentically me.
The only thing I remember someone saying to me when I first started teaching at a college was, “you’ll have to wear pants.” I was moving from the deep south to Northern California. I had been in an art department at a private university where most everybody wore shorts and it was hot as hell. I had worn a business suit to the interview and at my meeting with the Dean after I accepted the job, I was wearing nice linen cropped pants and I thought I looked presentable.
The comment about wearing pants kind of came out of left field. I would have worn pants in any case. That’s the only thing that’s ever been said to me about my appearance.
I have had comments about my accent and certain “isms” that have been hard to drop, but they have faded over the years and no one seems to notice it anymore.
Sounds like this guy is kind of out of line and way out of touch.
It depends on the field, in most 'hard' science fields it's ok to look homeless (we even have quizzes called professor or hobo) and I know very many people who are dressed 'woke' also. However, the more you have to do with industry and society (in a direct way), the more they value you looking presentable.
For example biology and chemistry has a lot more people walking around in dress shirts and even with jackets. In the humanities it tends to be even more.
Of course this will differ from department to department, and prof to prof. So best advice is to just look around before the interview.
Also just to clarify you don't need to cut your hair or hide your tattoos, but try to look how you'd look when you have to teach.
Former professor here. Your worth to academia is all about your ability to think creatively and if that extends to how you look-even better. Sounds like a jealous has been. Keep on going. But be forewarned, academics can be some of the pettiest people you’ll ever meet. Did it for 20 years-full rank and tenure- then said, I’m out. Guess what? Industry is worse…by the book thinkers who are petty 😆…
This is 100% the senior faculty with some axe to grind entirely unrelated to you. I bet they will barely remember it next week, and I suggest you try to do the same. Sorry tho but impressive accomplishments
What you wear is a tool. It can help shape perceptions. Before someone gets to know the ‘real you’ they often form a perception based on rather quick and superficial judgments. I hope this is what your professor means, rather than just being an AH. Clothing can symbolise conformity to certain subcultures which prefer certain music, political ideologies etc. So while certain dress may help form bonds with one group it could make things harder with another. If the way you dress is polarising, those who care or find it unprofessional will gravitate away from working with you. However, you might not want to work with someone who thinks like this anyway. This selection mechanism might help you find yourself around similarly-minded people.
Conversely, wearing clothes you feel comfortable in is associated with improved self confidence and may even improve your performance as a result:: https://journals.aom.org/doi/10.5465/amj.2021.1358
I would ignore these comments. When I was a PhD student someone who was a student further down the line to me told me I wear too much make up/take too much care of my appearance so I wouldn’t be taken seriously in academia. I finished my PhD and got an academic job just fine. For interviews you can cover tattoos, tie your hair back etc just to be on the safe side but honestly I feel like academia is one workplace where looking ‘less conventional’ is fairly common anyway?
This personal clearly felt motivated enough to say something. Assuming they advised you in good faith (big if), let’s consider whether this was just poorly delivered advice (before rejecting this as irrelevant advice).
The comment about your “aura” is ridiculously unhelpful. You need specific examples of behavioral examples.
Do you feel comfortable asking if they have any stories/experiences of other ppl they seen with this same problem/issue?
Could they have been concerned that your planned projects are primarily politically motivated? If so, that is worth reflecting critically on.
How does this person “look”? What are their politics? Could they be projecting based on the personal experience?
Do you feel comfortable asking another senior faculty member if you said something to offend someone?
Academic jobs are subject to workplace and professional norms. In other sectors, these norms include not discussing personal politics at work. This sounds bourgeoisie but it is actually useful to preserving workplace peace, and is vital for pre tenure period. In academia, your senior colleagues decide on your hiring and promotions. Part of that decision involves asking “do I want to share an office kitchen and be in meetings with this person for the rest of my working life?”
IMO most programs do a disservice to PhDs by allowing/encouraging them to be hyper political in the workplace, and not teaching them how to navigate this strategically.
There is a lurch back to the right happening world wide. Funding for navel gazing arts such as anthropology is going to dry up. Best learn the phrase - "do you want fries with that burger".
If you have not noticed, progressive countries like USA, Canada and France - are bankrupt.
Sounds like you have confidence to own your look while also being a successful academic. Perhaps you are sparkling some jealousy! Regardless of what it is, it doesn't deserve much of your attention.
Perhaps what he meant is that your clothing could look more professional and that would help you. If that is the case, it should probably evolve over the years. It's absurd but people, even academics, judge on appearence.
Your professor is a douche. There are plenty of them in academia.
Just carefully consider how long you stay there for, you can always head back after a long career of kicking goals.
You’ve come so far in academia without problems looking exactly the way that you currently do right? Grants, PhD acceptance, various academic and non academic publications… these aren’t small things. You should be able to estimate better than him how your future experience will be judging by your own experience with these exact looks up until now, no?
His type is on the down slope of their usefulness in the history of society and he is just lashing out at people that he thinks threaten his out if touch world view.
Be you!
You cant actually succeed in the game of life being anyone else.
Not sure why everyone in the comments in defending you or acting like they don’t understand. Many of my peers in my program are “woke” I used to be pretty liberal but the whole woke thing is kind of cringy. Some woke people give off the vibe like their noses are in the air or they are pretentious.
Universities are becoming more woke for image purposes, but the people who do hiring don’t care about that stuff and want normal people
Also, I would say don’t listen to the prof. That is unlikely to be true, firstly, and second, your records will speak for you. Find a place that showcases your talent: there are loads of schools (I know a few) that relish researchers and teachers that look like they take the study of mankind to heart and express it via their own tastes as well! Talk to Milo from YouTube (miniminuteman). He kind of fits your style.
I'm a guy w/ long hair and just got a TT job in anthropology. Most of the male grad students in my program had long hair. Unless your tattoos are hardcore offensive or gory, you are 100% fine.
Won't even respond to the leftist part bc that is an absurd thing to object to in our discipline. Might limit you if you're trying to get a job at a public university in a very conservative US state, but that's because of state legislatures, not because of the hiring committee.
I'm in academia, and have been for 22 years. Half of my head is shaved, and I've got multiple piercings (and tattoos, but they aren't visible). Nobody has ever cared one way or another -in fact, I feel like it's expected of academics these days to be a little different.
I started my tt assistant prof. job at the top uni in my country with a green mohawk/mullet and two arms full of tattoos. Our newest hire started with bright pink hair.
You’ll be fine. Disregard his comment.
FYI jealous people are going to try and knock you down your whole life…. Listen to what they say, but believe none of it. Only you are responsible for your happiness
Unlike most of the people here, I'm going to say he isn't wrong. Sure, a lot of professors may be left or "woke"- but the administration of your university will not be. The people who decide whether you get the offer will not be. It wouldn't hurt to moderate yourself a bit, and I don't mean cut your hair, I simply mean to make yourself appear more professional. Quite frankly, no one should know your politics. This is a profession, when you are starting out and trying to get your first academic job it is important to remember that. They do care what you look like, they want to know you can look the part when you need to. It's important to remember that a lot of the professors you see being loosey goosey with the way they dress and things they do 1. already have the job and 2. are likely tenured or well on their way.
There is some truth to their statement but not in the way you might think.
I can only judge the situation from a STEM point of view, but our field is kind of in anthropology, but I can't be more specific, because the field is small and word travels fast.
I look very much as woke as you can including piercings and tattoos. That has never been an issue, but being politically vocal has. The thing about academia is, that it everything from getting grant to getting jobs is political. Your project can be absolutely great and will not get funded, because they don't like your PI or someone you are working with or they heard you are "difficult" in whatever sense, because you have been open about your opinions.
I had to learn the absolute hard way, that having opinions, voicing them and defending your values clearly does not get you very far in this game. If you align with whatever political flair your faculty has, great, if not you better be very careful what you say to whom or it might come back to bite you in the ass.
Academia likes easy going, no fuss, go with the flow, idealistic (in terms of work ethics) people, because they are easily exploited and easily fit into this whole system. And in the end, it is more important what your old PI tells your future PI about you to get job opportunities.
It doesn't have to be this way, but unfortunately more often than not it is.
First rule of being a PhD? Standing up for your self and defending your position. If you can’t do that you should get out now and go work somewhere where no one will give you a hard time.
This is why generational shifts can be a good thing. We recently hired a new faculty member who is similar to “how you look” (too much to unpack here so I’ll just move on). This person was quite sought after and we feel fortunate that they wanted to work in our state and loved our inclusive campus. Colleagues love them, students love them, and it’s working out really well. Yes, they hid the tattoos during the interview process, but frankly that wouldn’t have made the candidate lesser in our eyes, and in fact they make the person more relatable for many students. I work at a state university that considers itself a “teaching” institution, focused primarily on faculty instructional achievement (I also concealed the person’s pronouns for anonymity.) Our department is in the social sciences/professional disciplines. So I’d say, “you do YOU, make your mark in the best way you can, and don’t take the bias and old school (literally) rancor personally.”
You sound like you're going to be an amazing anthropologist! I know it's crushing when someone you admire and look up to says something like this, and it does suck a lot! But just because they think something, doesn't make it true
I went to a personal event recently with people of all ages and a recently retired (aka in his 70s/old) anthropology professor was wearing a t-shirt with an anarchist slogan on it. Tbh I think he was wearing it bc it had a cool animal on it too and he didn’t know until later that it was an anarchist slogan (but he knew before he chose to wear it) but I wouldn’t be surprised if he had worn that in front of colleagues before since he seemed to like the shirt (like I said, cool animal), and apparently he used to be a hippie so he’s not unfamiliar with leftism. He did well in his field, and even though he’s old he definitely wouldn’t judge someone by appearance.
Anyway, as long as you can do the work you’ll be fine. People with that mindset are rare to begin with and will soon leave the field (retiring). And given the nature of anthropology they’re undoubtably less likely in that field than in other academic fields.
Just be you and if someone judges you without seeing your work first then it’s not someone you want to work with anyway.
It sounds like he views you as competition.
He's trying to break you down and weaken your confidence.
If you can set aside your political affiliation in the field, as I've heard many anthropolgists do, then you have nothing to be concerned about.
I highly recommend getting a therapist during your PhD candidacy it will help you a ton.
Here is a list of people in history who were famously quoted stating they didn't and have what it took and encouraged to give up by at least one teacher/guide: Walt Disney, Thomas Edison, Lucille Ball, Ulysses S. Grant, The Beatles, Michael Jordan, Temple Grandin, and Steven Hawking, H.P Lovecraft.
There is a time to be realistic and a time to question thier capabilities over your own. This is definitely one of them. If you are pursuing a career in rocket science or engineering with an IQ of 85, you might want to rethink. To me, that teacher sounds like he has some personalissues going on. The world is crazy right now.. A lot of people are secretly bitter and scared about the uncertainty of the future considering how fast things have changed. What does that even mean, too woke? I wouldn't pay much attention to that one comment.
I'm an anthropologist and have served on many hiring committees for other anthropologists.
Most anthrpologists look a bit...quirky? Don't you think? I mean, my main mentor wore nothing but baggie khaki shorts and tie dye. It's true that most anthropologists (but not all) are clean shaven. The department chair where I was (big university) had a moustache of notable proportions.
The vast majority of anthropologists are progressives/left leaning.
No one cares about tattoos but I tell my daughter to cover them up at job interviews for teaching. That's just common sense these days (most hiring committees have some random appointee and always one manager - the managers can be very conservative).
This very senior professor is out of touch. There may be no other academic discipline more concerned with equal rights, poverty as a research focus, gender and sexuality, and offbeat human behavior. That's us. I ended up also teaching some courses in criminal justice. I certainly changed my hairstyle a little during my job search - but looking back, I think that was rather stupid.
You sound smart and relatable. True story:
I was asked by an old professor (Old Poop, we'll call her) to tell one of my fellow grad students that she would never be employable because of her use of mascara and her painted fingernails. It's true that this woman came across as quite feminine (long blonde hair to her waist, swishy skirts and cute tops, high pitched voice). It was alarming to me that this older faculty person said this (that same woman was on my dissertation committee, but I didn't wear any makeup or paint my nails back then - I did by the time I was looking for a job though).
It's all stupid. Ignore it. You are WAY ahead of where I was in terms of accomplishments when I went into the job market. And what with all us boomers retiring (I just did), there is a minor bump up in jobs because we anthropologists teach curriculum that's crucial. The new ethnic studies requirements in California and elsewhere have meant that some of our courses are not only mandatory but we have to hire adjuncts to get enough sections up. Starting as an adjunct gives valuable teaching experience - and we lose those adjuncts as they get full time jobs elsewhere...
It sounds like he's worried about competition. If you built a Venn Diagram with each of you in separate circles, could those circles overlap anywhere? Are you working on things he's working on? Have you been praised for novel work or discoveries, whereas this professor hasn't had a new idea or discovery in years? Is he tenured yet?
All things I'd ask myself before I take what he says seriously. People suck. Even the people we hold in the highest regard.
Listen to me, ok? I just got my PhD in May at the age of 53. The most significant thing I learned from the whole ass experience is that many older professors who have had their degrees for decades are living in the past.
They have no idea what the newest methods are, or critical theory of the last ten years, or best practices for learner outcomes. They just continue to rely on the info they got as PhD students.
But that doesn’t work anymore. People are different now; some have blue hair and piercings, some are non-binary, and professors still treat women like they will live trad-wife lives.
They’re wrong, honestly. And it is your job to show them that. So don’t cower in your insecurities. That ridiculous statement of his is a calling to you to stand up and make it different for those coming up behind you.
Don’t ever forget that.
The guy is just out of touch, if you otherwise like this person don't let the comment make a big difference to you, they aren't saying it to insult you, they're being what they think is candid in a helpful way even if they're wrong.
Also, try to believe in yourself. It will take you further than anything anyone else says, and you will experience much rejection on your journey, but it won't slow you down if you believe in yourself and you'll eventually achieve your goals. Take criticism that seems beneficial to self improvement but discard the rest, easier said than done but it's the only way. Good luck.
I would say that his comments come from jealousy. You sound like a really smart guy that will go far in life and now that he can see it, maybe unconsciously, he is putting you down in fear of watching you achieve your goals
What a bunch of bs. Sometimes someone you look up to reveals a side of themselves that makes you realize you have outgrown them. File their unsolicited advice under nonsense.
...What... but, but, there're so many professors with tattoos, long hair, and moustache tooooooo!!! It's academia, and in Anthropology too, for God's sake! Dear Professor Mean-Old-Fart, let us remind you, it is academia, not America's Next Top Model (T\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_T)
What a mean comment to say. Well, his comment says more about him than about you. He is not a good educator. And if you want to have a career in academia, then don't do it in the same university as him. What a bully. go to another Uni and prove him wrong.
Bullshit. We anthropologists are a diverse bunch and should know that's a strength not a weakness. I can't speak for other places, but in Australia and NZ you will certainly fit right in. Anyway, you can just use yourself as a walking talking example of body politics or something along those lines. Best of luck with your final year. I imagine you didn't start a PhD to cover up your tattoos, shave, and wear a suit and tie anyway. Be you. From a fellow anthropologist in the final stages of a PhD.
Ignore ! Sb told me I am too corky🤣😂 whatever! I stand by my values culture and style whi cares as far as it doesn't offend general culture of professionalism in that university
Wokeness and political beliefs wont matter. But tattoos and general appearance that's not at the moment widely considered "professional" can adversely influence the people who will be hiring you or investing on you.
Here's a couple of good pieces of advice or reflection. You're likely not being discriminated by appearance but rather by dogmatic prejudices made against your worldview. After all, basically every anthropologist I've met has ear gauges, long hair, and a refusal to wear stiff collars. (All things as the good lord intended.)
Leftism is inherently anachronistic with organized academia because it's inherently anachronistic with the precepts of how those institutions get their dollars. Why would rich billionaires who got their money by oppressing the working class fund an institution that wants to undermine or even regulate their way of wealth?
A good leftist friend once told me that leftist movements only happen by the 4% rule which basically says to transform 4% of one's practice at a time into leftist rules . Otherwise the class overlords would see the "revolution" and the bourgeoisie will quickly just perform a cast wipe of their pet scientists and restart from scratch. They'd rather abolish the entire Ivy League than allow us to abolish capitalism. The president's of the Ivy Leagues and almost all think tanks are beholden to this system.
There is a place for understanding a non capitalistic framing that is very valuable in anthropology, but I imagine it all must come from someone who appears neutral in their professional persona. The rich people who fund our grants and contribute to the endowments don't need to see fealty but they also don't even want to think of revolution.
I would ignore it and not let it bother you, sometimes older faculty have of an "old man yells at clouds" vibe about younger generations and self expression. I'm a postdoc with bright, fluorescently purple hair and piercings who loves to dress with self-expression (albeit still appropiately for work) in STEM, which tends to trend more conservative. I also live in the south in a conservative state. Aside from everyone thinking I'm a lesbian (I'm not), as far as I know it has had no negative effect on on my career trajectory
Absolute BS. All of my anthro professors are hard left. They have reassured me multiple times that my appearance/identity/mental health will not determine my success in the field. Great job so far! You’re doing great!
They sound out of touch as hell. I am in the minority of anthropologists in know in that I in don't have visible tattoos. But I have long hair and facial hair.
As an artist, I would find a way to make a decorative collage of my accomplishments e.g. articles, grant letters (highlight the money), and other projects. Then superimpose them over a photo of myself, send this to the jackass and ask how do I look now?
>with a lot of success (grants, publications next to my book, and several valorisation projects such as installation art, popular books, and articles in monthly popular journals).
You have made it this far with this much success. What makes you think you won't make it further? It has obviously not affected you in any way. You're doing great!
You have grants, pubs, etc., before finishing the degree?
That is all anyone is going to care about. I just hope this tool is not on your committee.
I bet this person's twin was on my committee. Just do whatever you need to do to get past this person. Is there any way to turn this into a Title IX complaint?
This is more of a reflection of the faculty that said it to you than you. Universities have a range of political views, like everywhere. That said, sounds like this professor is out of touch. Show up as you are and work hard. I’ll choose a colleague with that approach-every time (and make sure the tats are spelled correctly)! 😂
As someone who is non-binary, with a nose ring, stretched ears, and bright green hair, I can tell you that you WILL encounter people with a more conservative mindset in the workforce. However, I was hired at my current job (Lab manager at a major institution) without having a PhD (basically a requirement for my position) because I’m good at my job and have people who can speak to my work ethic. Anyone worth your time will look past your “aura” and see that you’re a catch. Plus, would you really want to work at a place that expects you to pretend to be someone you’re not? It’s the very unique perspective you bring that gives you an alternative way of finding solutions.
I work in HR. It's nonsense. Our head of engineering has 2 full sleeves and a shaved head (and is a somewhat known musician). A law professeur has pretty much his full body tattooed and swims at the pool weekly. My favorite HR professor has blue hair. One of the deans comes to work on his bike every day and walks around in spandex shorts.
I have been working with academics for well over 10 years and can tell you this. If you're good at what you're doing, you're going to find a spot. If they don't want you because of looks, you dodged a bullet.
He used the word “woke” in a non-ironic way, which means there’s about a 95% chance you can ignore everything he says. It’s a handy indicator, like when you see “delve into” in a scientific abstract it’s 95% written by chatGPT.
Not In academia (apologies in advance) but I am a woman in a very technical space. They always look at me and say that I can’t code because of how I look, but all of that being said, don’t let anyone tell you what you can and can’t do. That generation of thinking is dying out, thank God, so just do you girl and be the best that you can be.
Is your vanity, worth your career?. I was like you!. Then I woke up. My entire life changed, when I conformed!. Now I’m retired with benefits. Only because I conformed!. Don’t be left behind!.
Sounds like a dinosaur spouting dinosaur opinions. The only thing I would question due to this interaction is if this professor is someone you should look up to. Important: if he was going to be a letter writer for you on the job market, you should find someone else.
Sounds like he has hasn't left academia in a very long time so probably has no idea how the modern industry actually works, or where values are placed.
Sounds like complete nonsense to me.
Imagine telling someone that they look too “woke” in an industry like academia which, in many ways, epitomizes wokeness. OP’s professor is on some bullshit fr.
And in anthropology no less
This isn't the case in STEM, at least that's not been my experience.
I work in STEM academia and I'm covered in tatoos and no one cares. They only care where I've published (NeurIPS etc) and how many students I have under me.
Anthropology is very much like that. And the biological side is STEM and sometimes housed in a different department, accordingly.
You're correct. The wokeness is very pronounced in the humanities and social sciences. It is very muted in many areas of STEM. That's not to say STEM doesn't sway left; it does. But nobody is going to applaud you for being vocal about it, whereas many philosophy or Caribbean studies departments would embrace wearing your politics on your sleeve.
UK, so possibly a different bag - I switched from a humanities (ish) subject into the sciences (bio) - I’ve not experienced a drop off in ‘wokeness’ at all. I am covered in tattoos, piercings, and other interesting choices, and have never had a negative experience in academia wrt the way I look. In fact, a senior professor recently told me they were sad because I’d stripped all the colour out of my hair so I doubled down am now brighter than ever!
I associate hair color and tattoos with alternative, not “woke”. There’s more overlap with tattoos and such on the left, but what the commenters above are talking about has more to do with sociopolitical ideology.
OP said the initial comment was because they “look too woke” which was followed by a description of hair and tattoos. My comment was wrt the implication that their aesthetic may have perhaps influenced the professor’s comments, and an example of that particular concern not having been an issue in my experience in STEM. Many people in the UK do still equate what you think of as an alternative aesthetic with the likelihood of having left sociopolitical leanings - so in many ways, at least here, they are intrinsically linked, particularly by people who may be biased against one or both. I did say that I’ve not experienced a reduction in literal, rather than implied wokeness moving from humanities(ish) to STEM, too which speaks to the culture more generally. I can clarify if you like that I am also very openly and obviously extremely left leaning (not left of centre, but true left) and beyond living for 14 years under a government who are utter a*holes, I have had zero issues with it - in fact, being outspoken where I work about my standpoints on institutional and governmental policy points that I feel most strongly about have similarly not resulted in my career being tanked. As with all of these things there will be a lot of variance between institutions, subjects, and individuals. If OP is concerned that they will fail because of an appearance of wokeness my 10p is that 1 person’s negativity need not make them rethink their entire future.
I agree with the bulk of your comment but in the United States, philosophy is notoriously conservative compared to the rest of the humanities. It also has an abysmal record of misogyny and harassment. I wish it weren’t so.
Sadly misogyny and harassment is also still a big problem in the uk - there is a crack down, but it is still a big problem.
This is so interesting, I've never heard this before but it tracks with my experience. I studied philosophy at undergrad in the UK and was bullied into leaving by my supervisor who thought I was too working class to be studying for a degree. That was his explicitly stated reason, anyway -- maybe there was some misogyny in the mix, maybe he didn't gel with me because I'm autistic (undiagnosed back then). I expected it to be an open-minded field where I might feel at home, but I never fitted in.
I can think of many STEM professors in very prestigious departments (including “old school” prestigious, i.e., top Ivies) with colored hair and tattoos.
Yeah but “long hair and mustache on a guy” is super, super techy. It’s not “engineering culture” but that’s dead anyway, and doctors don’t have enough time to worry about being jerks
Absolutely. When I did my PhD in STEM 15 years ago, one of our postdocs had dyed hair and piercings. She had a great story of when she was trying to get her first postdoc she was struggling so eventually took out a lot of the piercings and dyed her hair back to a natural colour for an interview. She turned up at the interview and the PI had half her head shaved and the other half was silver, and she had piercings and visible tattoos. She got the job!
In anthropology also lmfao.
It is definitely nonsense. Anthropology is an area that not only fits tats, piercings, hairdos, and cultural diversity, it cries out for it.
Absolutely. If you're a male, you better wear your wokeness on your sleeve. Can you get more tattoos? Make sure the hiring committee can see them.
Nah, that's a bunch of bullshit. I have short hair (often purple) and visible tattoos. I'm in political science, which can be more conservative than anthropology, and I have never had a problem. The professor who told you this is out of touch and projecting. Heck, I used to teach in the Deep South and the tats were not an issue.
Yeah, I read this and said, “someone is saying this in anthropology?!?” I have a few tattoos, went through the tenure track with varying shades of hair color, etc. no one cares.
I went to a sociology conference with a lot of anthro and psych people and I was floored by how *cool* everyone looked, lol. I’m not tatted but so many people were, and lots of us had colored hair and piercings. (Also everyone was really attractive lol I was like dang!)
I agree with your post as a whole, nobody cares about your style in academia except for old farts who are on thier way out anyway. But I wanted to say one thing. > my political point of view (which is leftist, but who isn't in academia?) Academia might not be as homogeneous as you think. Especially anything under the STEM umbrella (which I include anthropology in). Maybe liberal arts are different but I'm just speaking from my own experience as someone in academic STEM. Many trainees and grad students will say that they are leftists, but everyone, especially those who aren't very political inclined, has different definitions of that word. A lot of young people might use the word leftist when they mean that vote for progressive democrats, not that they want to overthrow the political order and institute communist government. If you're a progressive democrat, do yourself a favor and avoid using the word leftist so that you don't get lumped in with the revolutionary types. If you're a Das Kapital type leftist, do yourself a favor and be careful around certain people. Not all young graduate students agree with you, and you shouldn't assume that they do. More importantly, MANY, MANY authority figures (by which I mean the people who hold actual power in academia) hate this way of thinking and will actively discriminate against you for it. I wanna be clear I'm not speaking from the perspective of someone who's for or against leftist politics, I'm just making you aware that academics isn't as politically homogeneous as Fox News claims.
STEM in particular can be pretty right wing, especially when you get away from the R1s in urban areas.
I would say my STEM colleagues are probably more centrist than anything else. Quite balanced in their opinions, but primarily that they'll make up their own mind on each issue. In my experience, anyone who openly call themself "leftist" or "right wing" is quite likely to dismiss opinions of those not on their "side".
This is exactly how I feel. It might be confirmation bias on my part, but it always seems like the black-and-white thinkers don’t make it as far in STEM.
I was thinking of trying to make a comment along these lines... i.e. 'black-and-white thinkers don't make it as fas in STEM'. I think this hits the nail on the head. If you come across as being on one extreme or the other it might appear as if you might have too many preconceived ideas and a certain inflexibility that goes along with it. In science you're constantly assuming you don't have all the answers, are learning every day and there's a certain humility you need to be very comfortable with.
Maybe in some aerospace engineering and economics departments, but this is not borne out by the data at all. All of Academia is significantly left to the US as a whole. The famously conservative economics is somewhere between 1:2 and 1:5 Republican to Democrats depending on what particular survey you're looking at. For reference, 1:2 is a skewed enough ratio that people would contemplate calling your district a "D plus infinity" district, and at 1:3 they definitely would. The 1:2 surveys are probably more accurate fwiw. You may not find many straight up communists and general anticapitalists outside of humanities departments, but there's a world of difference between that and being right wing. The actual ideological "battleground" so to speak is whether you'd hypothetically primary Obama or Bernie Sanders. Not whether you'd vote for Obama or George W Bush. There's a lot of left leaning centrists in STEM, and there's also a lot of firm progressives. Actual conservatives are very rare.
Anthropology isn’t under STEM.
From Wikipedia: “anthropology, “the science of humanity,” which studies human beings in aspects ranging from the biology and evolutionary history of Homo sapiens to the features of society and culture that decisively distinguish humans from other animal species.” I think at least parts of it must fall under STEM. I mean, parts are obviously more sociology, but I can’t the vibe of the anthropology community is dramatically different from say, ecology.
Archeology, sure, it may be more scientific. Most of anthropology is cultural, though. It is very much a liberal arts discipline, that is its classification.
>If you're a progressive democrat, do yourself a favor and avoid using the word leftist so that you don't get lumped in with the revolutionary types. If you're a Das Kapital type leftist, do yourself a favor and be careful around certain people. https://youtube.com/watch?v=iS-0Az7dgRY
I think the fact this senior professor pointed out their “wokeness” a problem immediately shows there are differing opinions in academia. I once was part of a meeting with a professor from UCLA who spent far too long complaining about how their kid didn’t get into an ivy because of “immigrants” and “affirmative action”. Then boldly claimed that it’s unfair because their kid is “obviously smarter than and deserved it more than some leech”. This guy is from Russia and married into his green card.
For me it's just a red flag in general when political leanings are so obvious in a workplace environment. Politics should be left out of work.
I have been in this business for more than 30 years. Let me assure you that TONS of anthropologists have tattoos and piercings and wear weird clothes. It's completely on-brand for the discipline! Yeah, you might want to spiff up a bit when you interview (like, tie your hair back neatly, make sure your mustache is also tidy, etc); other than that, nobody gives a shit.
100% - you still need to make an effort for interviews etc, but beyond that nobody cares. I'm an archaeologist and I have colleagues with tattoos, piercings, weird hair whatever - all I care about is how good they are at their job and whether they're a decent colleague
I wouldn’t take any one person’s advice too seriously. To speak to your broader question, people will definitely judge you on your appearance and your (if you will) aura. This could impact one’s career but my guess is that for most people it’s a much smaller impact than other factors. And of course it’s field-dependent. I’d guess that in some fields “looking woke” (whatever the hell that actually means) could be a plus and not a minus.
I think he just wants you to dress more conservatively. You could choose to do this or not to do this. Either way, I wouldn’t worry too much about it. I got all kinds of comments about the way I dressed back when I was a PhD student. The way I dress has changed, but also, I don’t tend to care when other people think.
I mean, you won't be a candidate at Liberty U or Hillsdale, or at religious schools where you have to sign a code of conduct, but I doubt you'd be applying there. Be able to read the room and don't deliberately freak out elderly donors and you'll be fine.
oh god no please dont take them seriously i know bunch of "woke" looking people who is in academia and they are very successful (and i look like that too ahaha)
Old guard are still caught up in the trauma the academic and professional world placed upon them regarding appearance. It’s definitely changing but you should always be cognizant of your surroundings. If you’re the odd one out appearance wise, you’re going to be fighting an uphill battle because you’re in a different type of culture. So being aware of the culture around you is important. I know the PC thing to say is, “you do you boo, own it” but sadly the old guard is still very much at the top and living longer than ever, so yes, be yourself but be aware of what those around you say/do. You’d be surprised how unprogressive academia can be. Also, how do they know your politics? Did they assume or do you make them known? That’s another thing that can stunt your career. Treat all these people as coworkers and not friends. They’re on a need to know basis regarding most things in your personal life, especially politics.
He was trying to be nice. He is just bad at it and a little misguided. Older people have old opinions about how people look. There is some truth to those opinions, but the standards aren’t universal and they do evolve. I’m about 60. In my four decades of professional experience, I have found a couple of things to be true. First, if you look and dress better, people think more highly of you and treat you better. Second, the people higher up the ladder tend to be older and have older, more conservative ideas about how people should look and dress. BUT, the world is changing and standards about how people should look and dress are also changing. And academia tolerates a much wider range of people and looks than many other places, especially if you are good at what you do. Tattoos are normal these days, especially in social sciences. Long hair is, too. Your old colleague is just wrong about those things. Other old farts might share his opinions, but your academic record is much, much more important, and those oldsters will be gone before too long anyway. I’ll tell you what I tell my two LGBT children, because it seems relevant here: “Never change who you are to make anyone else happy. If someone has a problem with who you are, it’s their problem, not yours. If they don’t like that, they can get fucked.”
Fellow social scientist here in policy space - heavily and visibly tattooed, heavy makeup wearer, goth presenting. I work at a government institution in the South and my appearance is not an issue. When I have meetings that call for it, I cover my tattoos with a blazer…which I would be wearing anyway. This dude sounds like a dinosaur. You’ll be fine, my dude.
Yes - some colleagues will absolutely judge you based on your appearance, and will refuse to work with you or distance themselves in other ways. Be thankful - it makes it *way* easier to identify toxic jerks early!
"...and my political point of view (which is leftist, but who isn't in academia?)" More people than you might think. I am mostly centre-right although I align with "the left" on some topics, too. I find it really off-putting when people I work alongside with go off about politics, especially when it's clear they aren't open to talking to someone with a different opinion or seem to make value judgements of others, as people, solely for having an opinion they don't like. I've seen this countless times (in academia as well as industry) and it creates an unwelcoming atmosphere. It's possible that this person's views are perhaps on the way out/outdated. I think the comments about your looks might fall into that category: "decent" and "professional" people have tattoos now, this guy just may not have received the memo. But the comment about your behaviour with regards to sharing your political views, especially when unrelated to the work, probably has some merit to it. Ignore at your peril. PS: With regards to looks. The most important thing is that your grooming and hygiene is in order, and that you wear clothes that fit your shape/size, and that you wear something that fits the occasion (although in academia, usually it's totally fine to wear something quite casual). PPS: I want to chime in with the person who considers anthropology as STEM. That hasn't been my experience in STEM at all. AFAIK, "we" see that field as Humanities. Although maybe it kind of has one foot in both STEM and the humanities depending on what kind of anthropology you do. Secondly: I look like the typical "woke" person, as in: I shave part of my head but what I left to grow is really long, I dye my hair, I shaved my eyebrows (they are now permanently basically gone), I have stretched earlobes, I also have tattoos (although not visible), and I wear androgynous, "alternative" clothing (casual goth). Please don't assume everyone who looks "alternative" is (far) left.
Tattoos, long hair and moustaches really aren't the political hurdle they were. (I mean use your discretion on placement and content, but getting fussed about a reasonably discrete artsy tatt in 2024 is a bit much. Face tattoo miiiiight be a different ball game lol) It can't hurt to dress to the room you are in though. Code switching goes both ways. It probably isn't the worst idea in the world, to borrow a friend and have a fresh set of eye look at your work capsule. Maybe stuff has shrunk weird, or just doesn't fit anymore. Then make a few adjustments. Doesn't have to be crazy, hit the thrift store, couple crisp shirts and a well fitting blazer. But if starting with something super simple makes an impact on how these people perceive you, it would be a bit silly not to. Worst case scenario you have a couple new shirts. I had a manager that gave me SUPER vague advice about being unprofessionally dressed for like 6 months. Before I figured out that this woman just hated when I wore sneakers in general, but SPECIFICALLY converse sneakers. Like... k no big deal, could have saved us both some time! I didn't even wear them often, but they annoyed her, so that's what stuck with her. People are weird. Don't change everything for other people, but if it's a small thing and it helps improve your professional persona? eh why not.
OP, you sound like you have a lot of good things going for yourself which is great and brings me to my point: you need to understand that there will be more people like this senior prof who are incredibly successful but will feel intimidated by what you have going on for yourself. And what happens when one feels intimidated? They make unsavory comments just like what you’ve heard in an attempt to maintain that superior status they feel they have over you. A clip-your-wings sorta thing. Please, please, please, do not waste time that could be directed towards more productive exercises and try to decode or make sense of this person. He will not be the first and sadly, won’t be the last to do such to you. So, take this in stride and if there is any lesson worth learning from this, it is to never allow yourself be that kind of person - one who becomes uncomfortable by another’s well-deserved progress. Internet hugs to you.
I don’t agree with most of the responses here. Yes, you will be judged based on how you look. That is not politically correct to say, but it is a fact of life. We judge people based on how they look, all of us. Sometimes we successfully suppress the urge, but it’s there. There are of course counter-examples of people who look different and yet have done well. I’m not saying it will destroy your career. But yes, the first thing people know about you is often what you look like, and people form pre-conceptions. Specifically in academia, there are a lot of older people (just for example), who have more traditional expectations. They have voting power just like the more tolerant folks. Generally speaking, especially if you’re in a vulnerable position like the tt or postdoc job market, you want to present a version of yourself that will potentially present the fewest speed bumps possible. After you get tenure, you could probably get a full-body yakuza style tattoo, dye your hair purple, and get your tongue split, and probably care less about what other people think about it. But there might still be some conservative PM’s out there who see you in a conference and are not amused.
I agree. Redditors like to give terrible advice since they don't have to deal with the consequences. Yes it would be great if we could live in a world where physical appearance wasn't a factor, but unless OP finds a magical bridge to this fictional world they are still constrained by the same shit as the rest of us.
This is very true, and I also find it very odd how everybody here is just brushing aside the opinion of the only person who actually knows what OP looks like. It's one person so they could very well just be an out of touch asshat, but the timing doesn't really imply that (this is when OP should be seriously thinking about that kind of stuff). The too quick to share political views is also probably just true given OP's response to that particular criticism (Academia is left but not so left that "who isn't leftist" is a serious statement), and I wouldn't be surprised if that's really the criticism rather than the dress. One of those things where people wouldn't think twice about your appearance until you start dropping "this is the problem with latestage capitalism" bombs randomly.
["Science progresses one funeral at a time"](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Planck%27s_principle)
Academia, even in social sciences and humanities, can be very toxic. About the absurd comment--take it as a learning moment that the people whose works we may admire are not necessarily decent. They may lack even the basic social understanding. Become what this senior professor could never be--a strong academic who is also a decent human being. Academia is bad for mental health. Marshal your resources to guard your psychological health and finish your PhD successfully. You are on the right path. The range of amazing works you have done points to a bright future.
The senior professor may have been trying to help OP rather than trying to be a jerk. Things have changed somewhat, but it has long been the case that appearance does matter to some extent. That said, in academia quality of work is more important, and there are a lot of anthropologists who are non-conformists.
You are right. But to be honest, I have seen so many aspiring scholars crushed by careless, albeit at times, "kind" recommendations. Yes, physical appearance does still matter for academic job interviews and campus visits. But I would never put a young scholar's quality of work and general character under question because of their appearances. My main recommendation is to guard their psychological health against such advices.
As you continue to grow and learn, you will learn that those people who you look up to are often not that tall. As a post-doc, I was asked to give a talk in my old university and many of those people I looked up to during my PhD were present. One in particular I almost worked for. After my talk, which was pretty cutting edge science, I admit (riding on the shoulders of giants), this guy asked the most stupid question I have ever hear before or since. It was hard to keep a straight face. Do your own thing and carve your own path.
One of my sister's professors told her very emphatically that she shouldn't try to be a barrister because she's a woman and she'd get chewed up and spat out, a failure. She's now a judge and was when she was younger one of the youngest in the country. I think the woman was trying to be helpful? Maybe the guy is trying to be helpful but is deep down a bit of a c*nt?
In anthro? I've been to west coast anthro conferences and it is basically hippie and alternative central. The only people I see dress more formally did their schooling on the east coast and they still give hipster vibes.
Several of the most respected faculty at my religious-sponsored (but admittedly left-leaning) institution fit the description of your appearance.
The only look the professors in my department care (too much) about is the look of my plots and papers.
A general rule is that you can safely ignore the professional advice of anyone who uses the word "woke" both earnestly and pejoratively. Or talks about your aura. Find more insightful people for career advice.
Many folks have responded with (deserved!) admiration for your accomplishments and (also deserved!) ridicule of this professor’s remarks, so I’ll concentrate on “now I don’t know what to think of him”: I’m so sorry. It’s awful to learn that someone you once thought highly of holds strange, prejudicial, and inaccurate beliefs, and even more awful when those beliefs are directed at you, as an judgment of your character and as a liability no less. I’ve experienced this in a few different ways, and what has helped me is to remember that in those instances, I am not learning anything new about myself—I’m learning something new about the other person. That helps me treat it as a loss to be grieved: the sense I had of this person, and the relationship I thought I had with this person, is gone. That feeling deserves to be honored as a true sadness, but it isn’t something that I need to internalize as a verdict about myself. In practical terms, I often have to continue to be cordial with these kinds of folks, but I am more guarded around them and I no longer take their feedback as seriously as I may once have. Easier said than done, I know, especially when these things open old wounds and personal insecurities! But it really is true that nothing about you has been “uncovered” here—you’re still a wildly accomplished person who, by all accounts, is doing good and successful work, with beliefs (your politics) and a personality (your … “aura”?) that you stand by. This guy is the one who’s been unmasked, not you. And just to reiterate what others have said in case it helps you feel in good company: I’m as left as they come, four tattoos (large, and two are consistently visible), nine piercings (some facial), and on my second R1 TT job. More or less no one gives a crap. The people who DO give a crap are the ones who like it! Students often ask for the stories behind the tats.
Academia is the most woke environment I've been in. I wouldn't worry about the opinions of a random professor. A lot of profs give out a lot of advice, and not all of it is good. I had a prof with two full sleeves but who covered them up for class. This was a little while back though so I don't think it would be as big a deal these days.
It's not exactly about how you look, it's how your outfit looks. The comment is too blunt and quite hurtful, sure, but they probably just told you very directly about the way things are where you are. It's not your face or height or weight and I think it would be wise to adapt to the environment.
What the fuck are you blabbing about
About your mum
Doubt
I love it when people use woke as an insult. It means I get to ignore everything else that comes out of their mouths.
Nah, you'll be fine. As long as the tattoos are inoffensive and you keep your long hair and beard hygienic (not everyone does!). Loads of academics where I work have long hair and a beard, not sure about tattoos but maybe I've just not noticed.
Get over it and carry on doing what you want to do.
I'm sure a lot of universities are tired of very senior professors' opinions
By the sounds of things you’re the coolest person on campus. He’s just jealous.
Is this Professor even in academia?? I dress pretty conservatively but some of my colleagues have all sorts of tattoos and different hairstyles. I was at a small conference last week with some well-known Professors (at least in my field) and they were sporting huge beards and top knots. no-one gives a shit what you look like or the aura you emit. This Professor is living in the 19th Century. Ignore him and his comments.
They’re probably mentally impaired tbh
You can be however you want. Fuck the dinosaurs!
Look at Robert Sapolsky
He's adapted to a world that no longer exist. You are adapted to today's world. You're fine :) Don't worry about this opinion. You might want to choose another director because he will be the blockade he believes you could meet.
Would he dare say that to a female student? I'm assuming you are a man due to the stash, but us ladies can sometimes have them too! That is outrageous and totally unprofessional. Commenting on a person's looks says more about your professor than you. I like people with unique style. I think it makes them stand out in a good way. It's show's confidence.
You don't sound like you're going to have any issue. And remember, any place that won't hire you/value your contributions because of the way you look is probably not a place you want to be anyway.
That professor sounds like a tool. Everyone in academia has tattoos and piercings and colored hair. Mustaches are in style again. I know a male MD/PhD candidate who had very long hair and just donated it. Most people are liberal/ leftist. Sounds like the professor wants to gatekeep and make sure everyone is as boring as they are.
Oh OP! I hope you don’t let your professor get to you. You worked so hard to get to where you are. People have such a narrow scope of view of what academics “should look like” but the whole point of expanding our scope and getting our knowledge out there is not only reaching diverse audiences but also showing ourselves in our work. You may be considered eccentric but that doesn’t take away from your hard work and your knowledge. It sounds like your professor is the one that needs to get with the times and learn not all of us are gonna look the same but that doesn’t and shouldn’t discredit our work. Unfortunately there will be more people like him out there, especially if they feel threatened by your brilliance so they just *need* something to pick at about you. Keep your head up Mr finish strong. You got this far and you’re almost there. The world needs your knowledge and you have much to contribute
People who use the word "woke" unironically cannot be taken seriously.
Several of my colleagues have had large, noticeable tattoos, piercings, and unnaturally colored hair. It hasn’t held them back at all.
I mean it's anthropology not business school. You'd think it'd be more accepting of others and leftist.
He's wrong. Its the opposite now. Its not like in his days. He must be an old white man.
As a scholar i can tell you this is not completely nonsense but it doesn’t mean the end of the world. I have a full sleeve on my right arm, living and working in the Europe since 2010. Worked in The US and few countries in Eu. At first some people will stare you and judge you like you what you are doing in the academy but when you do your thing and be friendly or straight to the point to defend your lifestyle all will be fine. Work hard party hard.. cheers :)
The words 'fuck him' come to mind immediately. I wouldn't worry.
Stodgy old guys aren't the ones you should be looking to listen to for shit like this. I meet and work with all kinds of people in academia. Yeah if you look a little punk rock or metal or whatever It might slightly put some people off or cause them to take a second look, but it doesn't really matter in the end. People are interested in who you are, what sort of ideas you have, what sort of work you do. Academia is a broad and diverse environment, that guy just hasn't kept up with the world. Plus some people just prefer tearing others down. Fuck em
OMG, I think I was one of the few people in my grad program who DIDN'T have a tatoo. Honestly, I think like half of the younger faculty did. This sounds like something I hear from older generations in general, not just academics. You will be fine. Anthropology is a pretty woke field, you'll be fine.
He sounds really out of touch. Just make sure that the long hair is neat and not messy when interviewing.
Ignore those comments (though I understand it can be difficult to do so). I have several tattoos (visible) and several piercings and got a permanent post pretty much immediately after my PhD - your looks might matter to some but, if so, are those really people you want to work with anyway?
Dear OP I am very very sorry you had to hear such a disgusting comment. I think that if you experience any prejudice based on how you look, it will be because that kind of prejudice exists in all industries and it will come out in some way or form in academia. I don't know exactly how. On the other hand, it may assist you in other ways. Who knows! All I can say is that, you need to put less weight into what this professor says. I have this issue where I value the things people say a lot. Then they might say something even slightly mean and it cripples me. It's something I really have to work on. What did this professor mean when he said what he said? It doesn't matter. His opinion is no longer important to you because it doesn't serve your agenda to be an academic. He is putting you down, in no helpful way. Try to think less of this comment, in fact think less of this professor. Every time the thought resurfaces (do I look too woke? Will I struggle? Is it worth it?) Stop yourself and think "the opinion of this professor matters very little to me" and in your minds eye have an image of the professor and make it smaller and smaller and smaller until it is a dot. Then wipe it away. And then think about someone who has encouraged you to study and to pursue a PhD. And turn your attention to them.
He's 20th century and you're 21st century -- hold on, go forward, your cv already sounds great
Hello OP. I am so sorry this happened to you. Do not let this be the deciding factor for you to decide on doing a PHD. This person was way off base with their comments. As a faculty member and PhD supervisor myself, I would never offer "advice" like this. If you would like to talk, feel free to message me. I am willing offer perspective and give you feedback on strategies for overcoming this.
Probably best to stop looking up anyone who says "too woke".
Congrats! You’ve officially made it when someone says stupid shit to you in academia. We allllll have stories like this, you’ll be fine.
That's BS. In fact, your look could make you stand out from the crowd. I has a friend with a similar style and it was less about the long hair and more his hygine levels and not keeping his hair clean and detangled.
I think when you get your PhD you will read the room and find what you need. What a jerk. He probably kisses conservative boomer ass to get grants.
Some professors, especially the older generation, can be a bit stubborn and old-school with their values and views of the world. Besides, he is a senior professor, established and settled in with his life and career, and he is likely paying less attention to the current job market and/or the vibe and culture in academia so that he is not aware of the changes and transformations. Don't let his comment define or bother you because you are not confused, and you know who you are and how you would like to present yourself. You can continue appreciating his academic achievements and treat him as one of your academic mentors, but you don't have to agree with him regarding opinions and values in life.
Complete and utter bullshit. Now you know who this person really is, which is good, because you can now protect yourself and look for a different mentor.
I had an older woman tell me that there was no reason to support me on the job market because I weighed so much no one would take me seriously or think I worked hard. I was 160 pounds at 5’7”. She recommended I lose over 60 pounds. :( and yes, she was that size and several women in the program had EDs. It was such a shit show. Prove people like her and this guy wrong. It’s fun.
This is crazy. I know PhDs with purple hair, those with many tattoos, etc. that are all very successful. Nobody cares.
Finish your doctoral work. Seek a postdoctoral position with fewer closed-minded colleagues.
You are an anthropologist. This is a perfect research question! Run an experiment. Start two projects (or teach two classes, etc) with different cohorts. Dress super woke for one group of people, then dress conservative for another. Do a survey afterwards about what perception they had of you.
He is very unprofessional. It’s a him problem, not a you problem.
You do you. They are projecting their insecurities onto you. Also, as a sr academic leader in college… this is disgraceful. Stay on the path.
Ignore him. Looking woke don't got nothing to do with it, and anthro is one of those areas that tolerate folks a little outside of the box. Too many PhDs chasing too few jobs, let alone TT positions, is the real issue. I know a recent Stanford PhD in anthro and archaeology who had two Fulbrights and a year at the Stanford Humanities Center who has only been able to get three-year post-docs. I would never advise a student to pursue a PhD in the humanities or social sciences these days, except for a few subdisciplines.
I don’t care how experienced a professor is. If they’re commenting on your “aura” they’re not worth listening to.
Key word is senior. Some senior professors are close minded, heck even junior can be close minded. In general, academics don’t give a flying crap about all that. Do kick ass work and that’s the important. Be you :) From an assistant Professor who is barely five foot tall and has piercings.
If you were trying to work as a model or something, sure. You're finishing your PhD in anthropology and will probably get into similar. How you look is the most least of your worries
A large proportion of people I know that got a PhD have had someone make a minor comment during their PhD that they hold on to as a major criticism of their work. A PhD is very personal and so even an offhand comment can be interpreted very seriously. Im sorry that this is probably one of those moments for you. I think everyone can agree this prof is out of touch. I know plenty of successful highly eccentric academics. But maybe you can troll him and say that you take his comments very seriously and ask for suggestions on which mustache wax would be best for your career and present him with two choices.
Listen to him
Complete nonsense. I’m absolutely covered in tattoos, ears and nose pierced, scruffy looking guy. I’ve done extremely well for myself. Times have changed. My success has come from being authentically me.
The only thing I remember someone saying to me when I first started teaching at a college was, “you’ll have to wear pants.” I was moving from the deep south to Northern California. I had been in an art department at a private university where most everybody wore shorts and it was hot as hell. I had worn a business suit to the interview and at my meeting with the Dean after I accepted the job, I was wearing nice linen cropped pants and I thought I looked presentable. The comment about wearing pants kind of came out of left field. I would have worn pants in any case. That’s the only thing that’s ever been said to me about my appearance. I have had comments about my accent and certain “isms” that have been hard to drop, but they have faded over the years and no one seems to notice it anymore. Sounds like this guy is kind of out of line and way out of touch.
Maybe, he means well, but this sounds silly. Maybe he is justifying choices he has maid in his career to himself. You have nothing to worry about.
It depends on the field, in most 'hard' science fields it's ok to look homeless (we even have quizzes called professor or hobo) and I know very many people who are dressed 'woke' also. However, the more you have to do with industry and society (in a direct way), the more they value you looking presentable. For example biology and chemistry has a lot more people walking around in dress shirts and even with jackets. In the humanities it tends to be even more. Of course this will differ from department to department, and prof to prof. So best advice is to just look around before the interview. Also just to clarify you don't need to cut your hair or hide your tattoos, but try to look how you'd look when you have to teach.
Former professor here. Your worth to academia is all about your ability to think creatively and if that extends to how you look-even better. Sounds like a jealous has been. Keep on going. But be forewarned, academics can be some of the pettiest people you’ll ever meet. Did it for 20 years-full rank and tenure- then said, I’m out. Guess what? Industry is worse…by the book thinkers who are petty 😆…
This is 100% the senior faculty with some axe to grind entirely unrelated to you. I bet they will barely remember it next week, and I suggest you try to do the same. Sorry tho but impressive accomplishments
What you wear is a tool. It can help shape perceptions. Before someone gets to know the ‘real you’ they often form a perception based on rather quick and superficial judgments. I hope this is what your professor means, rather than just being an AH. Clothing can symbolise conformity to certain subcultures which prefer certain music, political ideologies etc. So while certain dress may help form bonds with one group it could make things harder with another. If the way you dress is polarising, those who care or find it unprofessional will gravitate away from working with you. However, you might not want to work with someone who thinks like this anyway. This selection mechanism might help you find yourself around similarly-minded people. Conversely, wearing clothes you feel comfortable in is associated with improved self confidence and may even improve your performance as a result:: https://journals.aom.org/doi/10.5465/amj.2021.1358
Anyone who would use the phrase, ‘Looking woke’, should be ignored.
I would ignore these comments. When I was a PhD student someone who was a student further down the line to me told me I wear too much make up/take too much care of my appearance so I wouldn’t be taken seriously in academia. I finished my PhD and got an academic job just fine. For interviews you can cover tattoos, tie your hair back etc just to be on the safe side but honestly I feel like academia is one workplace where looking ‘less conventional’ is fairly common anyway?
This personal clearly felt motivated enough to say something. Assuming they advised you in good faith (big if), let’s consider whether this was just poorly delivered advice (before rejecting this as irrelevant advice). The comment about your “aura” is ridiculously unhelpful. You need specific examples of behavioral examples. Do you feel comfortable asking if they have any stories/experiences of other ppl they seen with this same problem/issue? Could they have been concerned that your planned projects are primarily politically motivated? If so, that is worth reflecting critically on. How does this person “look”? What are their politics? Could they be projecting based on the personal experience? Do you feel comfortable asking another senior faculty member if you said something to offend someone? Academic jobs are subject to workplace and professional norms. In other sectors, these norms include not discussing personal politics at work. This sounds bourgeoisie but it is actually useful to preserving workplace peace, and is vital for pre tenure period. In academia, your senior colleagues decide on your hiring and promotions. Part of that decision involves asking “do I want to share an office kitchen and be in meetings with this person for the rest of my working life?” IMO most programs do a disservice to PhDs by allowing/encouraging them to be hyper political in the workplace, and not teaching them how to navigate this strategically.
In anthropology?? What the heck is he on? Here’s the thing: a job where they judge you for crap like that is NOT a place you want to be.
You should not be considering career advice from anyone who uses the word "woke."
There is a lurch back to the right happening world wide. Funding for navel gazing arts such as anthropology is going to dry up. Best learn the phrase - "do you want fries with that burger". If you have not noticed, progressive countries like USA, Canada and France - are bankrupt.
Sounds like you have confidence to own your look while also being a successful academic. Perhaps you are sparkling some jealousy! Regardless of what it is, it doesn't deserve much of your attention. Perhaps what he meant is that your clothing could look more professional and that would help you. If that is the case, it should probably evolve over the years. It's absurd but people, even academics, judge on appearence.
“A very senior professor” tells me all I need to know. Ignore him.
Your professor is a douche. There are plenty of them in academia. Just carefully consider how long you stay there for, you can always head back after a long career of kicking goals.
Ignore this person. I am queer, nonbinary, super liberal & covered in tattoos! I’m a successful professor at a top university.
You’ve come so far in academia without problems looking exactly the way that you currently do right? Grants, PhD acceptance, various academic and non academic publications… these aren’t small things. You should be able to estimate better than him how your future experience will be judging by your own experience with these exact looks up until now, no?
His type is on the down slope of their usefulness in the history of society and he is just lashing out at people that he thinks threaten his out if touch world view. Be you! You cant actually succeed in the game of life being anyone else.
Not sure why everyone in the comments in defending you or acting like they don’t understand. Many of my peers in my program are “woke” I used to be pretty liberal but the whole woke thing is kind of cringy. Some woke people give off the vibe like their noses are in the air or they are pretentious. Universities are becoming more woke for image purposes, but the people who do hiring don’t care about that stuff and want normal people
Where do you see yourself pursuing the career?
Also, I would say don’t listen to the prof. That is unlikely to be true, firstly, and second, your records will speak for you. Find a place that showcases your talent: there are loads of schools (I know a few) that relish researchers and teachers that look like they take the study of mankind to heart and express it via their own tastes as well! Talk to Milo from YouTube (miniminuteman). He kind of fits your style.
I'm a guy w/ long hair and just got a TT job in anthropology. Most of the male grad students in my program had long hair. Unless your tattoos are hardcore offensive or gory, you are 100% fine. Won't even respond to the leftist part bc that is an absurd thing to object to in our discipline. Might limit you if you're trying to get a job at a public university in a very conservative US state, but that's because of state legislatures, not because of the hiring committee.
I'm in academia, and have been for 22 years. Half of my head is shaved, and I've got multiple piercings (and tattoos, but they aren't visible). Nobody has ever cared one way or another -in fact, I feel like it's expected of academics these days to be a little different.
I started my tt assistant prof. job at the top uni in my country with a green mohawk/mullet and two arms full of tattoos. Our newest hire started with bright pink hair. You’ll be fine. Disregard his comment.
FYI jealous people are going to try and knock you down your whole life…. Listen to what they say, but believe none of it. Only you are responsible for your happiness
Unlike most of the people here, I'm going to say he isn't wrong. Sure, a lot of professors may be left or "woke"- but the administration of your university will not be. The people who decide whether you get the offer will not be. It wouldn't hurt to moderate yourself a bit, and I don't mean cut your hair, I simply mean to make yourself appear more professional. Quite frankly, no one should know your politics. This is a profession, when you are starting out and trying to get your first academic job it is important to remember that. They do care what you look like, they want to know you can look the part when you need to. It's important to remember that a lot of the professors you see being loosey goosey with the way they dress and things they do 1. already have the job and 2. are likely tenured or well on their way.
I think he fancies you.
There is some truth to their statement but not in the way you might think. I can only judge the situation from a STEM point of view, but our field is kind of in anthropology, but I can't be more specific, because the field is small and word travels fast. I look very much as woke as you can including piercings and tattoos. That has never been an issue, but being politically vocal has. The thing about academia is, that it everything from getting grant to getting jobs is political. Your project can be absolutely great and will not get funded, because they don't like your PI or someone you are working with or they heard you are "difficult" in whatever sense, because you have been open about your opinions. I had to learn the absolute hard way, that having opinions, voicing them and defending your values clearly does not get you very far in this game. If you align with whatever political flair your faculty has, great, if not you better be very careful what you say to whom or it might come back to bite you in the ass. Academia likes easy going, no fuss, go with the flow, idealistic (in terms of work ethics) people, because they are easily exploited and easily fit into this whole system. And in the end, it is more important what your old PI tells your future PI about you to get job opportunities. It doesn't have to be this way, but unfortunately more often than not it is.
First rule of being a PhD? Standing up for your self and defending your position. If you can’t do that you should get out now and go work somewhere where no one will give you a hard time.
This is why generational shifts can be a good thing. We recently hired a new faculty member who is similar to “how you look” (too much to unpack here so I’ll just move on). This person was quite sought after and we feel fortunate that they wanted to work in our state and loved our inclusive campus. Colleagues love them, students love them, and it’s working out really well. Yes, they hid the tattoos during the interview process, but frankly that wouldn’t have made the candidate lesser in our eyes, and in fact they make the person more relatable for many students. I work at a state university that considers itself a “teaching” institution, focused primarily on faculty instructional achievement (I also concealed the person’s pronouns for anonymity.) Our department is in the social sciences/professional disciplines. So I’d say, “you do YOU, make your mark in the best way you can, and don’t take the bias and old school (literally) rancor personally.”
You sound like you're going to be an amazing anthropologist! I know it's crushing when someone you admire and look up to says something like this, and it does suck a lot! But just because they think something, doesn't make it true
I think you’d be surprised about the number of right leaning academics (hidden or not)
I went to a personal event recently with people of all ages and a recently retired (aka in his 70s/old) anthropology professor was wearing a t-shirt with an anarchist slogan on it. Tbh I think he was wearing it bc it had a cool animal on it too and he didn’t know until later that it was an anarchist slogan (but he knew before he chose to wear it) but I wouldn’t be surprised if he had worn that in front of colleagues before since he seemed to like the shirt (like I said, cool animal), and apparently he used to be a hippie so he’s not unfamiliar with leftism. He did well in his field, and even though he’s old he definitely wouldn’t judge someone by appearance. Anyway, as long as you can do the work you’ll be fine. People with that mindset are rare to begin with and will soon leave the field (retiring). And given the nature of anthropology they’re undoubtably less likely in that field than in other academic fields. Just be you and if someone judges you without seeing your work first then it’s not someone you want to work with anyway.
Wow I wonder how many more papers I would have published without all these tattoos 🤦🏼♀️ Your prof is a joke. Don't look up to them anymore
It sounds like he views you as competition. He's trying to break you down and weaken your confidence. If you can set aside your political affiliation in the field, as I've heard many anthropolgists do, then you have nothing to be concerned about. I highly recommend getting a therapist during your PhD candidacy it will help you a ton.
Here is a list of people in history who were famously quoted stating they didn't and have what it took and encouraged to give up by at least one teacher/guide: Walt Disney, Thomas Edison, Lucille Ball, Ulysses S. Grant, The Beatles, Michael Jordan, Temple Grandin, and Steven Hawking, H.P Lovecraft. There is a time to be realistic and a time to question thier capabilities over your own. This is definitely one of them. If you are pursuing a career in rocket science or engineering with an IQ of 85, you might want to rethink. To me, that teacher sounds like he has some personalissues going on. The world is crazy right now.. A lot of people are secretly bitter and scared about the uncertainty of the future considering how fast things have changed. What does that even mean, too woke? I wouldn't pay much attention to that one comment.
I'm an anthropologist and have served on many hiring committees for other anthropologists. Most anthrpologists look a bit...quirky? Don't you think? I mean, my main mentor wore nothing but baggie khaki shorts and tie dye. It's true that most anthropologists (but not all) are clean shaven. The department chair where I was (big university) had a moustache of notable proportions. The vast majority of anthropologists are progressives/left leaning. No one cares about tattoos but I tell my daughter to cover them up at job interviews for teaching. That's just common sense these days (most hiring committees have some random appointee and always one manager - the managers can be very conservative). This very senior professor is out of touch. There may be no other academic discipline more concerned with equal rights, poverty as a research focus, gender and sexuality, and offbeat human behavior. That's us. I ended up also teaching some courses in criminal justice. I certainly changed my hairstyle a little during my job search - but looking back, I think that was rather stupid. You sound smart and relatable. True story: I was asked by an old professor (Old Poop, we'll call her) to tell one of my fellow grad students that she would never be employable because of her use of mascara and her painted fingernails. It's true that this woman came across as quite feminine (long blonde hair to her waist, swishy skirts and cute tops, high pitched voice). It was alarming to me that this older faculty person said this (that same woman was on my dissertation committee, but I didn't wear any makeup or paint my nails back then - I did by the time I was looking for a job though). It's all stupid. Ignore it. You are WAY ahead of where I was in terms of accomplishments when I went into the job market. And what with all us boomers retiring (I just did), there is a minor bump up in jobs because we anthropologists teach curriculum that's crucial. The new ethnic studies requirements in California and elsewhere have meant that some of our courses are not only mandatory but we have to hire adjuncts to get enough sections up. Starting as an adjunct gives valuable teaching experience - and we lose those adjuncts as they get full time jobs elsewhere...
It sounds like he's worried about competition. If you built a Venn Diagram with each of you in separate circles, could those circles overlap anywhere? Are you working on things he's working on? Have you been praised for novel work or discoveries, whereas this professor hasn't had a new idea or discovery in years? Is he tenured yet? All things I'd ask myself before I take what he says seriously. People suck. Even the people we hold in the highest regard.
Listen to me, ok? I just got my PhD in May at the age of 53. The most significant thing I learned from the whole ass experience is that many older professors who have had their degrees for decades are living in the past. They have no idea what the newest methods are, or critical theory of the last ten years, or best practices for learner outcomes. They just continue to rely on the info they got as PhD students. But that doesn’t work anymore. People are different now; some have blue hair and piercings, some are non-binary, and professors still treat women like they will live trad-wife lives. They’re wrong, honestly. And it is your job to show them that. So don’t cower in your insecurities. That ridiculous statement of his is a calling to you to stand up and make it different for those coming up behind you. Don’t ever forget that.
You do not need to worry about this in academia. My advice is you try to forget this and don’t change your appearance.
The guy is just out of touch, if you otherwise like this person don't let the comment make a big difference to you, they aren't saying it to insult you, they're being what they think is candid in a helpful way even if they're wrong. Also, try to believe in yourself. It will take you further than anything anyone else says, and you will experience much rejection on your journey, but it won't slow you down if you believe in yourself and you'll eventually achieve your goals. Take criticism that seems beneficial to self improvement but discard the rest, easier said than done but it's the only way. Good luck.
I would say that his comments come from jealousy. You sound like a really smart guy that will go far in life and now that he can see it, maybe unconsciously, he is putting you down in fear of watching you achieve your goals
To hell with him. You can always get a haircut if you want to. Or not.
This is bullshit coming from an insecure asshole. Tons of academics have tattoos this is nonsense.
His comments may also reflect his personal biases or prejudices, which do not necessarily represent objective reality.
What a bunch of bs. Sometimes someone you look up to reveals a side of themselves that makes you realize you have outgrown them. File their unsolicited advice under nonsense.
That sounds like his hangup, not yours.
That is one of the dumbest things I've ever heard. This was a professor? Yikes!
Your professor is wildly out of touch. Source: I am an anthropologist.
I wouldn't take any advice on how I present myself. He is very unprofessional mentioning how you look.
...What... but, but, there're so many professors with tattoos, long hair, and moustache tooooooo!!! It's academia, and in Anthropology too, for God's sake! Dear Professor Mean-Old-Fart, let us remind you, it is academia, not America's Next Top Model (T\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_T) What a mean comment to say. Well, his comment says more about him than about you. He is not a good educator. And if you want to have a career in academia, then don't do it in the same university as him. What a bully. go to another Uni and prove him wrong.
Sounds like a hater. Watch out for that guy cuz he might try to steal your work.
Bullshit. We anthropologists are a diverse bunch and should know that's a strength not a weakness. I can't speak for other places, but in Australia and NZ you will certainly fit right in. Anyway, you can just use yourself as a walking talking example of body politics or something along those lines. Best of luck with your final year. I imagine you didn't start a PhD to cover up your tattoos, shave, and wear a suit and tie anyway. Be you. From a fellow anthropologist in the final stages of a PhD.
Ignore ! Sb told me I am too corky🤣😂 whatever! I stand by my values culture and style whi cares as far as it doesn't offend general culture of professionalism in that university
Wokeness and political beliefs wont matter. But tattoos and general appearance that's not at the moment widely considered "professional" can adversely influence the people who will be hiring you or investing on you.
Report him!
Here's a couple of good pieces of advice or reflection. You're likely not being discriminated by appearance but rather by dogmatic prejudices made against your worldview. After all, basically every anthropologist I've met has ear gauges, long hair, and a refusal to wear stiff collars. (All things as the good lord intended.) Leftism is inherently anachronistic with organized academia because it's inherently anachronistic with the precepts of how those institutions get their dollars. Why would rich billionaires who got their money by oppressing the working class fund an institution that wants to undermine or even regulate their way of wealth? A good leftist friend once told me that leftist movements only happen by the 4% rule which basically says to transform 4% of one's practice at a time into leftist rules . Otherwise the class overlords would see the "revolution" and the bourgeoisie will quickly just perform a cast wipe of their pet scientists and restart from scratch. They'd rather abolish the entire Ivy League than allow us to abolish capitalism. The president's of the Ivy Leagues and almost all think tanks are beholden to this system. There is a place for understanding a non capitalistic framing that is very valuable in anthropology, but I imagine it all must come from someone who appears neutral in their professional persona. The rich people who fund our grants and contribute to the endowments don't need to see fealty but they also don't even want to think of revolution.
Don't listen to that person. From your description, you sound like the average academic!
I would ignore it and not let it bother you, sometimes older faculty have of an "old man yells at clouds" vibe about younger generations and self expression. I'm a postdoc with bright, fluorescently purple hair and piercings who loves to dress with self-expression (albeit still appropiately for work) in STEM, which tends to trend more conservative. I also live in the south in a conservative state. Aside from everyone thinking I'm a lesbian (I'm not), as far as I know it has had no negative effect on on my career trajectory
Absolute BS. All of my anthro professors are hard left. They have reassured me multiple times that my appearance/identity/mental health will not determine my success in the field. Great job so far! You’re doing great!
They sound out of touch as hell. I am in the minority of anthropologists in know in that I in don't have visible tattoos. But I have long hair and facial hair.
I would never take someone who uses "woke" seriously.
As an artist, I would find a way to make a decorative collage of my accomplishments e.g. articles, grant letters (highlight the money), and other projects. Then superimpose them over a photo of myself, send this to the jackass and ask how do I look now?
>with a lot of success (grants, publications next to my book, and several valorisation projects such as installation art, popular books, and articles in monthly popular journals). You have made it this far with this much success. What makes you think you won't make it further? It has obviously not affected you in any way. You're doing great!
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You have grants, pubs, etc., before finishing the degree? That is all anyone is going to care about. I just hope this tool is not on your committee. I bet this person's twin was on my committee. Just do whatever you need to do to get past this person. Is there any way to turn this into a Title IX complaint?
This is more of a reflection of the faculty that said it to you than you. Universities have a range of political views, like everywhere. That said, sounds like this professor is out of touch. Show up as you are and work hard. I’ll choose a colleague with that approach-every time (and make sure the tats are spelled correctly)! 😂
As someone who is non-binary, with a nose ring, stretched ears, and bright green hair, I can tell you that you WILL encounter people with a more conservative mindset in the workforce. However, I was hired at my current job (Lab manager at a major institution) without having a PhD (basically a requirement for my position) because I’m good at my job and have people who can speak to my work ethic. Anyone worth your time will look past your “aura” and see that you’re a catch. Plus, would you really want to work at a place that expects you to pretend to be someone you’re not? It’s the very unique perspective you bring that gives you an alternative way of finding solutions.
I work in HR. It's nonsense. Our head of engineering has 2 full sleeves and a shaved head (and is a somewhat known musician). A law professeur has pretty much his full body tattooed and swims at the pool weekly. My favorite HR professor has blue hair. One of the deans comes to work on his bike every day and walks around in spandex shorts. I have been working with academics for well over 10 years and can tell you this. If you're good at what you're doing, you're going to find a spot. If they don't want you because of looks, you dodged a bullet.
He used the word “woke” in a non-ironic way, which means there’s about a 95% chance you can ignore everything he says. It’s a handy indicator, like when you see “delve into” in a scientific abstract it’s 95% written by chatGPT.
Not In academia (apologies in advance) but I am a woman in a very technical space. They always look at me and say that I can’t code because of how I look, but all of that being said, don’t let anyone tell you what you can and can’t do. That generation of thinking is dying out, thank God, so just do you girl and be the best that you can be.
Every day, old profs like this are retiring and being replaced by young scholars like you. Don’t sweat it.
Is your vanity, worth your career?. I was like you!. Then I woke up. My entire life changed, when I conformed!. Now I’m retired with benefits. Only because I conformed!. Don’t be left behind!.
there's one of those windbags in every department.
Nah, this is not the world he grew up in.
Probably wanna rethink who you look up to 🤣 Sounds like he's been imported straight from the 40's
Most people who call people "woke" are conservatives angry when you do something that rubs them the wrong way.
Sounds like a dinosaur spouting dinosaur opinions. The only thing I would question due to this interaction is if this professor is someone you should look up to. Important: if he was going to be a letter writer for you on the job market, you should find someone else.
Sounds like he has hasn't left academia in a very long time so probably has no idea how the modern industry actually works, or where values are placed.
I left academia because it was filled with filthy filthy leftists