Many PhD students are turning to side hustles. Nature launched a poll to investigate this trend. The poll aims to understand the prevalence of side hustles among PhD students. This comes amid rising living costs and financial anxieties.
The poll was announced recently. It seeks to gather data on researchers' income diversification during their doctoral studies. A September 2025 Harris Poll indicated that 57% of Gen Z workers have side hustles. This generation, born between 1997 and 2012, often relies on extra income.
The immediate impact is a renewed focus on PhD funding adequacy. UKRI data suggests over half of research organizations believe PhD stipends are insufficient. Students also face concerns about unemployment and AI-driven job displacement. AI's increasing automation of tasks raises fears of reduced job opportunities post-graduation. This anxiety fuels the need for alternative income streams.
Financial pressures are a key driver. Morning Consult data shows student financial optimism at its lowest since 2018. Side hustles offer a buffer against economic uncertainty. Some students also pursue entrepreneurial ventures.
Nature's poll results will likely inform future discussions on PhD funding and student support. The data could influence policy changes. It may also highlight the need for universities to address student financial concerns proactively.
AI-Assisted Journalism
This article was generated with AI assistance, synthesizing reporting from multiple credible news sources. Our editorial team reviews AI-generated content for accuracy.
Deep insights powered by AI
Continue exploring
The Yellow Affair has acquired "Árru," a Sámi drama set to premiere at Berlinale, highlighting the intergenerational trauma and resilience within the Sámi community. Through evocative yoik music and Arctic landscapes, the film explores the complexities of Sámi identity and the struggle to balance cultural preservation with ethical action, offering a poignant commentary on heritage.
A new Nature film explores the perspectives of AI pioneers on the technology's vast potential across sectors like healthcare and national security, while also addressing concerns about misinformation and societal impact. The discussion highlights the critical role of human agency in shaping AI's trajectory and the need for informed consideration of its ethical implications.
Analysis of 8,000-year-old Mesopotamian pottery shards reveals surprisingly early evidence of structured mathematical thinking, predating the first written numbers by millennia. This discovery highlights the cognitive capabilities of ancient societies and prompts further investigation into the origins and evolution of mathematical reasoning, potentially influencing how AI models are trained to understand abstract concepts.
Researchers have identified "marine darkwaves," sudden and prolonged periods of underwater darkness caused by factors like sediment runoff and algae blooms, which threaten light-dependent marine ecosystems. This new framework helps scientists understand and compare these blackout events, highlighting the increasing risk to kelp forests and seagrass meadows due to declining water clarity. The study underscores the importance of understanding how these events impact marine life and the broader implications for coastal ecosystem health.
Research indicates that wildfires in Arctic Alaska have reached a 3,000-year high due to climate change, with warming temperatures drying the soil and promoting shrub growth, creating conditions for intense fires. Analysis of peat cores and satellite data confirms a significant surge in fire activity since the mid-20th century, signaling a shift towards a more hazardous fire regime in the Arctic with potential impacts on ecosystems and global climate patterns.
Researchers have identified a mechanism by which some statins induce muscle pain: by binding to a muscle protein and causing calcium leakage within cells. This discovery offers a potential pathway for developing new statins or treatments that mitigate muscle-related side effects, improving patient adherence and cardiovascular health.
A new form of neonatal diabetes has been identified, stemming from mutations in the TMEM167A gene that impair insulin production. This discovery, utilizing advanced DNA sequencing and stem cell models, not only clarifies the genetic origins of early-onset diabetes but also establishes a link between diabetes and neurological conditions, potentially reshaping our understanding and treatment of the disease.
Senate Republicans have blocked a resolution that would have mandated congressional approval for military actions in Venezuela, reversing initial bipartisan support after White House assurances. The defeat, achieved with a 51-50 vote and the Vice President's tie-breaking vote, followed President Trump's criticism of Republicans who initially supported the measure, which was prompted by the U.S. capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. The resolution aimed to reassert congressional authority over military interventions, reflecting differing views on executive power in foreign policy.
Facing bipartisan backlash, the Trump administration has reversed its decision to cut over $2 billion in funding for mental health and addiction programs, a move that had initially shocked healthcare providers nationwide. The restored grants will ensure continued access to vital services, preventing potential disruptions in care for vulnerable populations struggling with mental health and substance use disorders. Experts emphasize that consistent funding is crucial for maintaining effective treatment and support systems during a time of increasing need.
The FBI searched a Washington Post reporter's home as part of a leak investigation concerning a Pentagon contractor suspected of mishandling classified information. While the reporter and the newspaper are not considered targets, the Justice Department's action is raising concerns about press freedom and the protection of sources, according to the Post's executive editor. The search is considered an escalation in the government's efforts to control leaks.
In Minneapolis, a DHS/ICE agent shot a Venezuelan man in the leg during an attempted arrest after the man fled a traffic stop and allegedly assaulted the officer. According to DHS, the agent was also attacked by two other individuals with a snow shovel and broom handle, prompting the use of force; the incident follows a prior fatal shooting by an ICE agent in the same city just a week prior. The injured man was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries, raising concerns about ICE tactics and community relations.
Spanish prosecutors are investigating allegations of sexual assault against Julio Iglesias, stemming from reports of incidents in 2021 at his Caribbean residences. The investigation highlights the complexities of international law and the potential for Spanish courts to try citizens for alleged crimes committed abroad, raising important questions about accountability.
Discussion
Join the conversation
Be the first to comment