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Journal of Social Welfare and Management 17(2):p 121-126, May- Aug 2025. | DOI: https://doi.org/10. 21088/jswm.0975.0231.17225.6
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: https://doi.org/10. 21088/jswm.0975.0231.17225.6
How Cite This Article:
Rohit Kumar Pal. 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): 121–126Timeline
Received : April 12, 2025
Accepted : June 30, 2025
Published : August 30, 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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- 6. Windsor, M.With ‘predatory’ journals, it’spublish and perish, UAB study argues. 2019 Mar. Link-https://www.uab.edu/reporter/ know-more/research/item/8659-withpredatory-journals-it-s-publish-and-perishuab-study-argues
- 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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Data Sharing Statement
There are no additional data available. All raw data and code are available upon request.
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
We would like to express our gratitude to the patients, their families, and all those who have contributed to this study.
Conflicts of Interest
No conflicts of interest in this work.
About this article
Cite this article
Rohit Kumar Pal. 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): 121–126
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 30, 2025 |
DOI: https://doi.org/10. 21088/jswm.0975.0231.17225.6
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 30, 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.
