2. Has anyone experienced discrimination in interviews? I ask because one of the reasons I have problems is Asperger Syndrome, and I think it's actually illegal for me to be penalised for this, but it seems to be happening (not academic ability at fault, I know people with worse grades than myself who have 'walked onto' PhD studentships). Last interview I was asked unreasonable questions about my social abilities (not related to working with others in a lab), and I'm wondering whether it's worth standing up to this? Has anyone appealed against discrimination in PhD studentships before?

Have you tried informing you potential supervisor before the interview with detailed information of your syndrome. Get one of your referees to be your doctor who can explain what you have difficulty with. I am sure the questions about your social skills might have just been curiousity - as you would expect from an intellectual.

Let us know how you get on next time and how you plan to change your approach.

I am sure there is a charity or organisation for asperger syndrome who has better advice. Complaining about discrimination probably won't help but asking why you did not get the studentship might be useful.

I get asked unreasonable questions in every interview I have had... but its just getting to know you as a person ... not necessarily a judgement. Other times it can be relevent. For example, my supervisor wanted to know about my sports and activities. Not that he was interested... it was so he could assess how much time I would be able to commit to academia rather than rowing! Good luck.

I would suggest that you notifiy interviewers before the interview and explain what you may find difficult and why. Also offer some solutions e.g ask for more time to answer a question or ask for a question to be repeated/rephrased. You can contact the national autistic society and see if a local support worker in the area could attend the interview with you or could provide some advice to the university beforehand.

If the interviewers focus on your social skills try pointing out the positives e.g you wouldn't have got this far if you couldn't socialise and focus on your strenghts e.g are you very organised? motivated? have good acadmic grades? etc.

I would also agree with pep that 'unreasonable' questions may be normal in interviews and although others have 'walked into' phd's with worse grades this is also very common - phd are given on more than just grades. Try here www.nas.org.uk for some practical help and advice - good luck

sorry to keep posting but

Prospects, The National Autistic Society's employment consultancy, is launching a new, two-and-a-half year project, which will help final year university students with Asperger syndrome into work.

Follow the previous link to the NAS - you should get some help here

It is indeed illegal to discrimination on the grounds of a disability.

Whether action to pursue would be worth your while (ie black balled name) is a different matter.