Thread by @ArthropodAbbey

Older academics on Twitter this last week be like "just move around for postdoc positions like I did and stop complaining"; Here are some of my experiences in today's world as a prestigiously NSF-funded postdoc; a 🧵

(2 🧵) First of all; housing! I moved across the country sight unseen. This is the state of trying to rent near @UConn - now imagine doing this from far away during the pandemic like I did. I luckily found a place and now commute 1.5 hours 7 days a week for my research

(3🧵) I am externally funded on a prestigious fellowship (#NSFPRFB) and as a #disabledscientist had to go months without insurance and almost ran out of my life-saving medications. I am not included in our postdoctoral union and thus can't access certain on campus resources

(4🧵) I have had to hire an accountant because NSF doesn't count me as an employee, nor does Uconn, I am an independent contractor who has to pay taxes quarterly. And guess what? The $15,000 PRFB "research allowance"? My health insurance is also out of that same pool of money.

(5🧵) not only am I sending back most of that "research money" in taxes and to pay my accountant, I then have to pay ~$6,000 of it per year to access health insurance as a disabled person and foot the out of pocket expenses for medications and testing.

(6🧵) I am assuming this system works well if you're able-bodied and don't need quality (expensive) insurance, you have more research money! However this is the reality of #postdoc life as a disabled person.

(7🧵)This whole "move around and suffer bc I did" narrative is #ableist, it's #classist, and it makes you look out of touch. #AcademicTwitter #AcademicChatter #PhD #phdchat #postdocposition #phdjourney @DisabledStem @DisInGradSchool @DisabledAcadem @DisInHigherEd

I didn't expect this to blow up! I want to say I'm thankful for my funding even if there are issues with how it's distributed & also to my partner @forrest_holt for leaving a journalism job to move. Postdoc life sucks but mentoring students and neat bugs get me thru the bad days

8 🧵 had a very productive meeting with a Uconn Dean today who heard me out & is taking my concerns to HR to begin the process to create an orientation packet including stuff like who to email to get health insurance or help with your VISA 🎉✊
Advocate for yourself and others

9🧵 did not mean "old" as in age, I meant it to refer to an advanced career stage, my sincerest apologies for anyone whom my wording offended - I am working to do better. non-trad students and postdocs face unique challenges and I see your struggles, solidarity ✊