Sorry really, this is my first time posting ever and I'm embarrassed so I'm probably not writing neatly. I'm 43, doing a part-time-ish master's while working on research at a university in Udon Thani (been studying almost two years). I'm still shocked, super confused, like really confused.

Short version first. Yesterday there was a group meeting the head professor called for at 4:00 PM on Thursday. He told everyone to prepare a 5-minute progress summary. I prepared — like, really detailed, about 10 pages handwritten in blue pen, with pictures, tables, a couple slides. I collected data from the little grocery stores across from the dorm, actually did the fieldwork and surveys — spent about 12 straight days in the field (ish). It was exhausting but I finished on time.

When the meeting started the professor called one student up to explain, but then he let a friend who came later and barely did any fieldwork speak instead, even though I had told them beforehand it was my topic. I raised my hand to speak but was told, “this person will do it,” in that like… uh tone. If I hadn't protested, that other person talked in a vague way and even put our graphs — my graphs — into their slides without asking. Then the professor smiled big and said, “good progress.” I just sat there quiet, felt totally floating, like my seat got swapped in a game without warning.

After the meeting that friend came up to me sounding friendly, saying “I like your work,” but also said they’d taken responsibility for that part and would sort it out with the professor. I tried to stay calm and gave a weak thanks, but inside I was a mess, felt like my work was stolen and made theirs. I tossed and turned all night until almost 3 AM, couldn't sleep, playing with a tiny keychain and thinking in circles.

I don't know — am I overthinking? Should I talk to the professor directly that the data and that part of the work are mine, because I'm scared if I don't say anything later it will become theirs? But I'm also afraid the professor will see me as picky or not a team player, and I'm scared the group dynamics will get worse. I'm not a kid but I feel childish and my throat hurts from talking about it.

Has anyone had this happen in a research group or department, when your work/ideas get taken unexpectedly? Should I speak up directly now, or quietly gather evidence and then talk to the professor formally? Or just let it go since it's only meeting slides and not a finished paper? Please share if you've been through this. What should I do? OP is really confused T_T

P.S. Sorry again if this is messy, I just had to get my thoughts out. My head is all over the place, really confused haha 5555