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Journal of Social Welfare and Management 17(2):p 121-126, May- Aug 2025. | DOI: 10. 21088/jswm.2454.7964.11125.6
Short Communication
The Illusion of Prestige: Pay-and-Take Awards and the Glorified Profile Culture in Contemporary Academia and Professional Fields: A Short Communication and personal statement
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Attribution-Non-commercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0)This license enables reusers to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any medium or format for noncommercial purposes only, and only so long as attribution is given to the creator.
Journal of Social Welfare and Management 17(2):p 121-126, May- Aug 2025. | DOI: 10. 21088/jswm.2454.7964.11125.6
How Cite This Article:
Pal RK. The Illusion of Prestige: Pay-and-Take Awards and the Glorified Profile Culture in Contemporary Academia and Professional Fields: A Short Communication and personal statement. J Soc Welfare Manag. 2025;17(2):121–6.Timeline
Received : April 12, 2025
Accepted : June 30, 2025
Published : August 08, 2025
Abstract
In the modern landscape of professional and academic growth, a troubling trend has emerged awards and honors are increasingly being commodified. The phenomenon of pay and take awards, where recognition is exchanged for fees rather than merit, has undermined the foundational principles of academic integrity and professional credibility. This article critically examines the evolving ecosystem of purchasable accolades and glorified profiles within academia and related sectors. Through a comprehensive literature review, real-world case studies, and detailed analysis, we explore the psychological drivers, institutional enablers, and long-term consequences of this superficial form of recognition. This article further identifies the research gap, provides suggestions for policy and cultural reform, and highlights areas needing further exploration. The aim is to foster awareness and encourage a return to authenticity in evaluating academic and professional merit.
References
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- 5. Peace, E. Pay-to-be Awarded Vanity Programs and the Education 2.0 Conference USA. LinkedIn blog. 2024 Apr.
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- 7. Vosse, E.Predatory award organization – yet another scam.2019 Mar. https://www. evscienceconsultant.com/blog/predatoryaward-organization-new-scam.
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- 9. Pyne, D. In a conversation with Retraction Watch.When most faculty publish in predatory journals, does the school become “complicit?” 2017 May. https://retractionwatch. com/2017/05/09/faculty-publish-predatoryjournals-school-become-complicit/.
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Funding
This research received no funding.
Author Contributions
All authors contributed significantly to the work and approve its publication.
Ethics Declaration
This article does not involve any human or animal subjects, and therefore does not require ethics approval.
Acknowledgements
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Conflicts of Interest
The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.
About this article
Cite this article
Pal RK. The Illusion of Prestige: Pay-and-Take Awards and the Glorified Profile Culture in Contemporary Academia and Professional Fields: A Short Communication and personal statement. J Soc Welfare Manag. 2025;17(2):121–6.
Licence:
Attribution-Non-commercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0)This license enables reusers to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any medium or format for noncommercial purposes only, and only so long as attribution is given to the creator.
| Received | Accepted | Published |
|---|---|---|
| April 12, 2025 | June 30, 2025 | August 08, 2025 |
DOI: 10. 21088/jswm.2454.7964.11125.6
Keywords
Vanity AwardsAcademic IntegrityGlorified ProfileProfessional RecognitionPredatory PracticesDigital IdentityPerformative SuccessEthical AcademiaSearch for Similar Articles
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Timeline
| Received | April 12, 2025 |
| Accepted | June 30, 2025 |
| Published | August 08, 2025 |
licence
Attribution-Non-commercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0)
This license enables reusers to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any medium or format for noncommercial purposes only, and only so long as attribution is given to the creator.
