Hi,
Concerned about the standards at my uni while an undergrad I blew the whistle and lodged a formal complaint. I couldn't provide all the evidence I needed to as some of it involved my friends giving evidence and I couldn't put them in that situation. I completed a degree there and got a first. The complaint has gone all the way to the OIA but they would only consider a small part of it as you have to be able to demonstrate that you have been personally damaged as a consequence (i.e. whistle bolowing for the ssake of the greater good will not be considered). I have now lost my case. I want to continue in HE. But obviously I am concerned that my chances in the scientific field will have been damaged due to this complaint (the staff I complained about are wellrespected in their field). I am looking at applying for masters in this field. Do you think I should bother? Do you think that I will get work/a PhD in academia afterwards? The field that I am interested in is very small.

Hi, what did I decide... well, I'm not really a quitter so I decided to be damned and try for my favoured career path. I have a place on a very good masters starting september and I have elected to study part time so that I can maintain my current career as well (my employers are giving me paid sabbaticals to undertake the MSc) and its always best to cover all bases I think the real test will come when I have to apply for funded positions as my guess is that the old boys network will be alive and kicking but we will see!!!