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Background:

I am a master's student working with a professor and PhD student. They provided me with an initial research direction, to solve problem A. To achieve that research goal, I identified a problem B that would prevent me to do problem A efficiently. I hence solved problem B independently first instead because it only makes sense. And that is what I wanted to publish first.

So for most of the work (ideas, writing and coding/results) I have been the main contributor (80% me and 20% a 4th co-author not part of any of this drama). PhD student and Professor have only been meeting and discussing with me on average 2 times a month. Those meetings were mostly about presenting the progress. Professor also did a significant amount of revising as compared to everyone else. Most of the writing and results were done independently by me, and as part of a collaboration scheme. I don't get paid, I don't get course credit or anything material in return.

Problem

PhD student has been unresponsive weeks leading up to the abstract deadline over multiple attempts to clarify logistics of a submission. Since it's only abstract I submit (I know horrible mistake) to not lose the chance for a full paper submission and PhD student goes livid and starts threatening me, to kick me out of the school, kick me out of the lab, sue me etc.

From further conversation what I understand he had in his mind that he wanted to be the first author and claimed he would "Think about giving us co-authorship". Which to me co-authorship order was obvious since everyone's contribution was obvious, let alone acknowledgement. And doesn't make sense because he doesn't even fully understand the paper or work.

Professor wants me to continue working on everything and doesn't seem involved or to be part of any of this (even if PhD student tries to incorrectly claim professor said things that Professor hasn't). Final paper submission deadline is in few days.

PhD student "doesn't have time to go back and forth with me", "doesn't have time to explain everything to me" about why he wants the paper removed or what he wants me to do. Thinks the quality of the paper is subpar and doesn't want to be associated with it. But he wants me to remove the submission and continue working on the paper and sending him my revisions and "push" for the deadline????.

All of these point to something nefarious but I still want to give the PhD student the benefit of the doubt.

Question

  • What are my options? I am not sure if this will hurt my reputation or his but probably both of ours. I really wanted to apply for PhD but not sure if this is what I thought academia was and reconsidering :/

  • How can I resolve this without losing my dignity? I am not willing to let someone else take credit for my work. I would rather not publish

  • How can I remove PhD student's contribution? Is the paper a dead-end? I obviously can't submit a full paper without his approval.

  • What can I do and have to do to address the request of the PhD student? What do I do in case of conflicts between PhD student and Professor?

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    Until this is completely sorted, I, personally, would not provide new or updated material to that person whether you continue to work on it or not during the interim. Once all is clear and decided then update if that is appropriate, of course, if no further collaboration is planned then don't update...
    – Solar Mike
    Commented Nov 13, 2018 at 16:06
  • Make clear in your question that the PhD student expected a particular order of authorship. This is not obvious until later down in the question.
    – Captain Emacs
    Commented Nov 13, 2018 at 21:01
  • @CaptainEmacs right.. I don't see why else he would be upset and claim I am setting myself entitled to "his" work?
    – user99355
    Commented Nov 13, 2018 at 22:57
  • @user99355 I would say about 40-50% of disputes (if not more) are due to communication failures; implicit assumptions; fear or avoidance to talk about topics etc.; failing to identify points that need to be agreed on beforehand. Your sentence "from further conversation" indicates that this is the problem here. In your question is another: I did not really understand from your question what the PhD student got livid for: your submission as abstract, your premature submission, the order of the authors or something else? Please clarify.
    – Captain Emacs
    Commented Nov 13, 2018 at 23:32
  • @CaptainEmacs I am not sure, because he just blew up on me without explaining anything and started to making threats. And avoided all questions
    – user99355
    Commented Nov 14, 2018 at 2:38

1 Answer 1

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You ought not to have submitted anything naming the PhD student as a co-author without his clear consent. So you do need to withdraw the submission, immediately, and you owe him an apology.

After that, you can all work out what to do next. Maybe you can all come to some agreement, and maybe the professor can help to mediate. There's a good chance that you may miss the deadline and have to submit to some other venue at a later date; you'll just have to live with that.

No one author can unilaterally decide author ordering, even if it's "obvious"; you all have to agree.

Keep in mind it's a two-way street; he also can't publish without your consent.

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