I was working on a PhD at the University of New South Wales in Australia when I lost my supervisor. To make a very long story very short, the University said they could not find another supervisor and discontinued my candidature. Three years work down the drain. Full scholarship rescinded. I am an international student so my visa privileges also were rescinded.

I decided to file a complaint. The complaint officer said I should talk to the University's "Privacy Officer" about obtaining some information from the uni through a formal request. He promptly leaked the details of my impending complaint to the administrators I was trying to complain about.

That was round one. I won a legal battle against UNSW in the Civil Tribunal for breach of privacy. That much is a matter of public record. You can read the decision in legalese here: https://www.caselaw.nsw.gov.au/decision/5a581225e4b058596cbad962

or better still, read the newspaper article about it in plainer language here: http://honisoit.com/2018/01/unsw-found-to-have-breached-privacy-act/

The privacy matter is just the tip of the iceberg, but the lack of good faith mentioned in the article is something that the Uni has exhibited throughout the ordeal.

The reason I am writing is to hear if anyone has had similar experiences. Also, I am thinking of publishing a full-length work of nonfiction about it. Does anyone know of any publications written by students who have gone through long legal battles with their University? I would be interested in knowing what else has been published in this genre.

I don't know about actual publications, but there's been posts on here previously where people have had similar legal battles. I think they mainly involve contesting a result though e.g. a fail or MPhil instead of PhD.

I think these cases should be highlighted because your story sounds ridiculous - shouldn't be allowed to happen.

I definitely think that it is very brave of you to fight and it will give other people hope and courage if you publish your story. There are ppl here who have had bad experience battling their uni, but I think most of us want to stay private and move on with life rather than reliving the events by retelling the story.

Hi, I've commenced battle with my uni over my course. Your case would be interesting to read about, it is a warning for other students of what can happen.

Thanks for the replies. I t looks like the Australian legal community is beginning to take an interest in the story.