A Genius’ Curse

Have you ever been praised for accomplishing something but still consider yourself a “fake”? Like you were doubtful about your life successes? That’s how Albert Einstein, one of the foremost scientific minds of the 20th century, felt. Einstein believed he wasn’t as much of a genius as others perceived him to be. It’s suggested that many other successful individuals also experience this internal fear known as imposter syndrome. It’s associated with feeling a sense of non-belonging, alienation and meaningless. The anxieties associated with imposter syndrome are definitely a challenge, especially in environments like academia, where confidence is key to success. Ms. Melanie Schwartz, Senior Lecturer in the Faculty of Law at UNSW was on the line to help us understand this psychological phenomenon.