Student poaching should be banned – even if that probably won’t stop it

The author presents an argument that the transfer of students from one professor to another, without the permission of the original supervising PI, damages collegiality. It may well be the case that there are occasions when one staff member "poaches" a student in a purely self-interested or malicious move. However, when considering whether to allow this or not, the only real consideration should be the interests of the student. PhD students often have two roles, one as a student and the other as a researcher. Different systems prioritise these two roles differently. But both exist in most systems. For the PhD candidate as student, the role of the institution is to provide a service to the student that is being paid for either by the student themselves (via private tution fees), though a funding body (through a studentship) or departmental grad program that is ultimately funded via some mechanism, often state or charitable funding. Either way, what is being purchased here is an education for the student, and thus universities have a arrange things such that the student receives the best education it is able to receive for that funding. Here the only question that is relevant is whether the move will provide a better educational experience for the student. In their role as researchers, students should be treated as any other employee - free to leave their employment at will and take up alternative employment, subject to any contractual notice period, as they see fit. While they are in the employ of one PI, then they are entitled to whatever remuneration is applicable (e.g. tuition fees/tution fee waivers). I know of no employer that demands part of the remuneration back if the employs leaves they employer. Clearly if they move, then the new employer (PI) becomes responsible for the remuneration. Here the employer may have the right to consider their own interests, but have no (morally valid) lever with which they can enforce those interests.