Nick Axten earned his doctorate more than 50 years after starting his Ph.D. He started his thesis on mathematical sociology in the US in 1970.
Five decades later, the University of Bristol dubbed him a Doctor of Philosophy in front of his wife, Claire Axten, and 11-year-old granddaughter, Freya.
He also earned a distinguished Fulbright scholarship, but Axten explained his research has been “exceptionally difficult.”
Why did Nick Axten take 50 years to get a doctorate?
A 76-year-old student has finally graduated more than 50 years after he started his #PhD! 🎓
Dr Nick Axten said he needed “a long hard think” in the intervening five decades.
Read more on Dr Axten and his amazing achievement 📢 https://t.co/AqzZ9ar660 pic.twitter.com/hdTlIcjaV9
— University of Bristol (@BristolUni) February 14, 2023
The 76-year-old man explained why he took a long time to earn his Ph.D.
Axten said, “Some problems are so great it takes the best part of a lifetime to get your head around them.”
“They need a long hard think. This one has taken me 50 years,” he added. The Bristol graduate said he was working on a thesis that explores human behavior.
Axten was formulating a theory based on the values that each person holds. He believes it has the potential to change the perspective of behavioral psychology.
How was Brixton’s academic journey?
Photo Credit: news.sky.com
Dr. Nick Axten shared interesting details about his college years. He started his undergraduate degree in Leeds in 1967.
He recalled those times by saying, “It was still flower power, and there was a revolutionary feel.”
“It was the time of the Vietnam War, Paris, Prague, and student sit-ins,” Axton added. More importantly, he explained why he studied social sciences.
Axton said, “Sociology and psychology were suddenly boom subjects. I went to study them because I wanted to understand people.”
He said he loved his time as a student at the University of Bristol between 2016 and 2022.
He recounted, “All of the other philosophy graduate students were around 23, but they accepted me as one of their own.”
“They are clever people full of ideas, and I loved talking with them, especially at the pub in the afternoon,” Axton said.
His University of Bristol supervisor, Professor Samir Okasha, stated, “Nick was an incredibly enthusiastic, energetic, and committed student during his time here.”
During those times, Dr. Axten had a varied career as the creator and principal author of the school teaching program Oxford Primary Science.
After so many years, he said, “It’s fantastic to see him graduate half a century after he started his original Ph.D.”
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