Should I leave a second PhD (by prior published work) off my CV?

Question

Short version: Will putting a second PhD (by prior published work) on my CV cause more confusion than it is worth?

For the past decade I have built a strong academic career in a discipline that, objectively, is not what is listed on my PhD (think something along the lines of PhD in Classics but having an international research reputation in Contemporary Security Studies). I'm gainfully employed in a department associated with my chosen discipline, hold grants, supervise PhDs, etc etc. However unless you go deep into the gory details of my research focus, where everything becomes clear and logical, my PhD honestly doesn't make sense. Technically, I don't have the minimum qualification needed to be admitted to the master's programmes that I teach on.

I have the option of getting a "PhD by prior publication" in my real discipline from a top research university that I am not currently working at, but have a formal relationship with. It would cost nothing, and they have agreed I have prima face case for it and we are just finalising the details. I like the idea of resolving this confusion in my past, and (because the only step up for me is full Prof) I think that having it on hand will calm any promotion fears in the future.

Assuming the admin goes through, my CV would essentially be:

1. PhD1 201x
2. Progressive research career, grants, etc 201x–present
3. PhD2 2022

I'm going to take the qualification...I mean, free PhD, no extra work needed! Who could say no? But I have the option just to quietly tuck it away until I need it for something specific such as proving I'm a real X-ologist for promotion.

So my question is, will this cause more confusion than it is worth on my CV, in the context of say, grant applications?

My sub questions are: Will it make it seem unclear what I was doing with my time? Does it have a negative connotation? Does anyone have any experience with how something like this would be evaluated in such a context? How do you feel about academics omitting qualifications from their CV?

Answer 1

Sure, it would cause some confusion, but it sounds like your current situation already causes confusion, so arguably the inclusion of the second PhD, if done in a sensible way (e.g. putting an asterisk next to it and adding a short explanatory footnote) has the potential to lessen the confusion.

In addition to that, what do you care if it causes confusion? I assume listing a Nobel Prize on one’s CV also has a bit of a shocking effect when encountered by an unsuspecting reader. As @Buffy said, there’s definitely a “wow” effect associated with seeing a second PhD (even if it might be accompanied by a bit of a “huh?”).

In short, I don’t like giving people advice of the form “do this”. But in general a path that consists of stating the full truth about yourself, especially one that is quite flattering, seems preferable to one involving obfuscation.

Answer 2

From a US perspective I don't see how not listing a second degree is any advantage at all. Even if you aren't working in an interdisciplinary, field, having studied widely and deeply (both) is a good thing.

Unless there is some local issue, I'd list both, but I might divide up the CV so that it isn't so chronological. Degrees separated from work experience, perhaps.

I think the reaction of most would/should be "Wow!", not "Huh?"

In a mid career situation there shouldn't be any ethical issue either way, though, and omissions of accomplishments are unlikely to have ethical issues in any case.