Mapping the emotional journey of the doctoral ‘hero’ : Challenges faced and breakthroughs made by creative arts and humanities candidates

Journal article


Batty, Craig, Ellison, Elizabeth, Owens, Alison Rhona and Brien, Donna. (2020). Mapping the emotional journey of the doctoral ‘hero’ : Challenges faced and breakthroughs made by creative arts and humanities candidates. Arts and Humanities in Higher Education: an international journal of theory, research and practice. 19(4), pp. 354-376. https://doi.org/10.1177/1474022219844986
AuthorsBatty, Craig, Ellison, Elizabeth, Owens, Alison Rhona and Brien, Donna
Abstract

This article discusses how doctoral candidates identify and navigate personal learning challenges on their journey to becoming researchers. Our study asked creative arts and humanities candidates to think beyond the research project itself and reflect on emotional hurdles they were facing or had overcome. The findings point to a great deal of ‘invisible’ work that underpins doctoral study, and show that such hidden work can have a major influence not only on the research project, but also on progress and satisfaction with the learning journey. In this article, we outline the key themes that emerged from the study: on the emotional and transformational dimensions of the doctoral journey. Using these themes and the candidate stories surrounding them, we align the doctoral journey with Joseph Campbell’s journeying ‘hero’ and Mezirow’s concept of transformation, and suggest how making such invisible aspects of candidature more visible might enhance research training.

Keywordsdoctorate; doctoral journey; human dimension; research training; invisible work; transformation
Year2020
JournalArts and Humanities in Higher Education: an international journal of theory, research and practice
Journal citation19 (4), pp. 354-376
PublisherSage Publications Ltd.
ISSN1474-0222
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1177/1474022219844986
Scopus EID2-s2.0-85065413082
Research or scholarlyResearch
Page range354-376
Publisher's version
License
All rights reserved
File Access Level
Controlled
Output statusPublished
Publication dates
Online01 Oct 2020
Publication process dates
Accepted02 May 2019
Deposited06 Jan 2022
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