Bataille, Pierre <br/><br/>
The Social Space of Graduate Student Precarity. A Case Study of Doctoral Students at the Université de Grenoble Alpes (UGA) 

 -  2025.<br/>							 
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<br/><br/> This article examines graduate student precarity through the case study of doctoral students at the Université Grenoble Alpes (UGA). It sheds light on the multidimensional nature of this precarity, which is not limited to economic difficulties but also encompasses material, interpersonal, professional and health factors. Thus, it seeks to unpack the experiences of doctoral precariousness. The study is based on a survey carried out between 2023-2024 among 3001 doctoral students at UGA, with a response rate of 32 %. After adjusting the data, five specific forms of precarity were identified. Economic precarity, which is manifested by insufficient income, budget restrictions and a negative perception of one’s own financial situation. Residential precarity, which includes access to housing and housing conditions, with a large proportion of doctoral students living in substandard or poorly equipped housing. Health precarity, which is experienced as a marked deterioration in mental health and refusing treatments. In terms of interpersonal relationships, social isolation and difficulties in achieving a good work-life balance also represent major issues. Finally, we find professional precarity is linked to working conditions, to the resources available and the support available. The multiple factor analysis used in the study highlights three main categories of doctoral student precarity: economic and material, professional, and interpersonal and health-related. Four profiles of doctoral students stand out in terms of their level of exposure to different forms of precarity. The study also points out the social disparities that intersect with these forms of precarity: international doctoral students and those coming from marginalised social backgrounds are particularly vulnerable to interpersonal and financial issues, while doctoral students in the humanities and social sciences appear to be more exposed to professional, economic and health issues.