A cost-of-living crisis is compelling some PhD researchers to find creative ways to make ends meet, according to a reader poll conducted by Nature. Of the 1,200 or so scientists who responded, 46% said they have or had a second income during their PhDs. Sixty-eight per cent of respondents to the poll ' posted in January to the Nature website, on social media, and in the Nature Briefing e-mail newsletter ' answered that they were worried about the current economic situation in their region, with 59% saying this worry would make them more likely to consider pursuing a side hustle (see 'PhD students under pressure'). 'The quality of life [provided by] my current stipend (same amount as for 10 years ago) definitely has not been maintained with the rising cost of living. Within a few years I think most people would struggle and need to begin a side hustle or second job,' wrote one respondent to Nature's poll. Ian Wereley, executive director of the Canadian Association for Graduate...
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