I see that point Fibula. Certainly you SHOULD contribute to the knowledge base to achieve your PhD. But academic success can also be achieved without a PhD. One of my very best lecturers during my first degree actually only had a 3rd class BSc degree and no PhD. But someone at some time had given him a chance and a position at the university and he subsequently did very well as a lecturer and published a great number of well-regarded papers in a difficult academic area.

Best regards,

mcmoo