The Doctoral Journey in Education

This edited book, the first of its kind in the field of applied linguistics, offers a refreshing and unique exploration of how personal experiences shape academic journeys. Through engaging autoethnographic inquiries, each chapter sheds light on the complex factors influencing doctoral students' decisions on dissertation topics. This collection provides deep insights into the interplay between identity, experience, and academic research, making it an essential read for anyone interested in the human aspects of applied linguistics. This book is a must-read for doctoral students, doctoral advisors, and anyone interested in doctoral studies, offering valuable perspectives on the how, what, and why of choosing dissertation topics in applied linguistics.

Contributors are: Farah Ali, Anna Becker, Jaione Diaz Mazquiaran, Xuewei He, Ufuk Keleş, Akiko Kiyota, Justyna Legutko, Angel Merchant, Valéria Schörghofer-Queiroz, Marc Tamarit-Galdón, and Ethan Trinh.

Earning a doctorate can be a daunting, yet rewarding, venture; the doctoral journey can include immeasurable sacrifice (e.g., health, family, finances). This edited volume—a collective narrative—comprises diverse educationalist perspectives from scholars who have successfully navigated the doctoral journey. Clearly articulated throughout this collective narrative, there are innumerable ways to complete the doctoral journey; the laborious journey is not a linear process but rather a lattice of ever-evolving professional and personal relationships, experiences, perspectives, and insights. Personal accounts of resilience and growth serve as sources of inspiration while offering sage advice, genuine insights, and significant analyses—all seamlessly connected.

Contributors are: Laurie Hill, Makie Kortjass, Michael Paul Lukie, Ntokozo Mkhize-Mthembu, David G. Ngatia, Heather Raymond, Alessandra Romano, Pearl Subban, Kathy Toogood and Barbara van Ingen.

This book is tailored for those navigating the diverse landscapes of doctoral work in physical and health education. Delve into the doctoral journey as our expert authors unveil the challenges unique to the realm of physical and health education. From research methodologies to innovative pedagogical approaches, the authors offer insights into overcoming obstacles and thriving in the academic arena. Immerse yourself in the narratives of seasoned scholars who have walked the same path. Their stories of resilience, breakthroughs, and personal growth serve as sources of inspiration, providing you with practical advice and mentorship toward your academic pursuits.

Contributors are: Daniel W. Balderson, Joe Barrett, Stephen Berg, Heidi Jancer Ferreira, Colin G. Pennington, Simon Schaerz, Eishin Teraoka and William Walters.

This collection is an inspiring compilation of personal narratives that delve into the remarkable journeys of first-generation doctoral graduates in education. It unveils their struggles, triumphs, and transformations as they navigate academia, driven by passion and a commitment to breaking barriers. Their stories depict resilience, resistance, and the pursuit of excellence as they confront the challenges of being the first in their families to embark on the rigorous, intellectually demanding path of obtaining a doctoral degree. From diverse backgrounds, cultures, and disciplines, some of these first-gen docs now serve as advisers to the next generation of doctoral students.

Readers will be captivated by narratives of sacrifice, courage, and academic identity formation, shedding light on the transformative impact on families and communities. First-Gen Docs: Personal, Political, and Intellectual Perspectives from the First-Generation Doctoral Experience underscores the role of mentors, allies, and inclusivity, inspiring future generations in academia and beyond.

Contributors are: Nur Diyanah Anwar, Miguel Baique, Nina Bascia, Kathy Bickmore, Jinny Menon, Elizabeth Montaño, Newton Asakhulu Mukolwe, R. Nanre Nafziger, Yecid Ortega, Crystena A. H. Parker-Shandal, Rosaisela Rodriguez, Janel Janiczek Smith and Zora Wolfe.

Eight international and four domestic doctoral students share the story of completing their doctoral journey at an Australian university, as well as their experiences of being part of a large collaborative research group that served as a source of support and motivation on their doctoral journey. They share their dreams, hopes, and frustrations of searching, applying, being rejected and finally accepted as a doctoral candidate. International students share their impressions and experiences of being in a new land with a new language and immersing themselves and their families in a distinctly different culture and society. These are the stories of the challenges they encountered and their struggles and successes.

Contributors are: Elizabeth Allotta, Laura Emily Clark, Maria Ejlertsen, Daeul Jeong, Solange Lima, Huifang Liu, Mohammad Tareque Rahman, Umme Salma, Margaret Schuls, Sara Haghighi Siahgorabi, Lauren Thomasse and Tran Le Nghi Tran.

This edited volume comprises a compilation of autoethnographic evocations from U.S. doctoral students in the fields of social sciences and humanities, who narrate and analyze their experiences in the doctoral journey and beyond. Through 11 select contributions, the book examines the intersections and shifting roles of the personal and the community in the doctoral student journey, illustrating the complex and unique nature of pursuing a doctoral degree. Part 1, Curating the Self, includes five autoethnographic accounts that speak directly to the personal challenges and transformations experienced in the doctoral journey. Part 2, Embracing the Community, includes six autoethnographic accounts illustrating supportive communities’ life-changing power during the doctoral journey.

Contributors are: Gabriel T. Acevedo Velázquez, Ahmad A. Alharthi, Afiya Armstrong, Nick Bardo, Caitlin Beare, Rebecca Borowski, Anya Ezhevskaya, Christopher Fornaro, Melinda Harrison, Linda Helmick, Joanelle Morales, Olya Perevalova, Alexis Saba, Kimberly Sterin, Katrina Struloeff, Rebecca L. Thacker, Lisa D. Wood, Erin H. York, Christel Young and Nara Yun.

This volume is a collection of the stories of eight international students from Southeast Asia who journeyed to undertake doctoral studies in an Australian university. Each author shares the academic and cultural challenges of living and studying in a foreign country and adjusting to different cultural and social contexts, including the drivers, motivators, personal and familial expectations of undertaking doctoral studies in a foreign land, their changing sense of self and identity on their journey, and the impact of being separated from family, friends, and familiar supports. Insights are gained into the social, cultural and familial experiences that challenge doctoral students and their family members.

Contributors are: M. Maksud Ali, Elizabeth Allotta, Brent Bradford, Danwei Gao, Huan Yik Lee, Yifie Liang, Muhammad Ali Musofer, Garth Stahl, Aaron Teo and Preeti Vayada.

This volume presents narratives of doctoral students who enriched their journeys by taking charge. The authors—who studied in the United States, Sweden, and Australia—reflect on their transformative personal and professional journeys wherein they cultivated experiences of autonomy, competence, and relatedness. Through boundless community support from sources beyond the academy and efforts to deepen relationships with peers and faculty, these doctoral students navigated uncertainty and ambiguity in their academic and personal lives as they worked to attain their degrees. In the process, they developed increased confidence in their subject expertise and their professional perspectives, leading to fruitful outcomes.

Contributors are: Walter Butler, Ulrika Centerwall, Lettie Y. Conrad, Mark M. Diacopoulos, Kristen H. Gregory, Kara Kaufman, Karen F. Kaufmann, Clarence Maybee and Virginia M. Tucker.

This book adopts the arts-based methodology of social fiction to explore the professional becoming of a teacher educator, Patricia Morgan. The aim of the book is to examine and generate new knowledge about how cumulative life and educational experiences shape teacher educators as teachers, doctoral candidates, academics, mentors and colleagues. Through reading Patricia’s story, you will explore how she reflects on, and tries to make sense of, who she is as a learner, educator and professional. Grounded in research on the work of teachers and teacher educators, Patricia’s story will encourage you to reflect on your own experiences and support you in becoming the professional that you aspire to be.