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.
Arvustused
"Bravo to all the contributors of this edited collection. The editors, in particular, worked tirelessly to cull a diverse body of experiences, voices, and identities in exploring the (auto) (duo) (collaborative) ethnographies of doctoral journeys. This is a timely collection as the need for doctoral curricula continues to shift with the sociocultural and political demands of the world." Gloria Park, Professor, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, USA
Curating the Self and Embracing the Community: Autoethnographic Evocations of U.S. Doctoral Students in the Fields of Social Sciences and Humanities is a unique collection of autoethnographic narratives that offers profound insights into the trials and triumphs of pursuing a doctoral degree. The book beautifully weaves together personal accounts from U.S. doctoral students, providing a captivating exploration of the intersection between the personal and the communal in their doctoral journeys. With its carefully curated stories, the book captures the challenges, transformations, and empowering communities that shape personal growth and discovery. This thought-provoking and inspiring volume is a must-read for anyone exploring, or currently engaged in, a doctoral journey in the humanities and social sciences. Silvia Vaccino-Salvadore, Assistant Professor, American University of Sharjah, UAE
Curating the Self and Embracing the Community: Autoethnographic Evocations of U.S. Doctoral Students in the Fields of Social Sciences and Humanities offers present and aspiring doctoral students a unique perspective often overlooked in academic discourse. Many embarking on the doctoral journey remain unaware of the profound impact that critical self-examination, repositioning, and personal and professional transformation can have. Through engaging autoethnographic narratives, this work beckons scholars to find camaraderie within an environment marked by both excellence and isolation, all while honing new skills. The captivating, authentic, and insightful accounts presented in this groundbreaking volume make it an indispensable read for anyone venturing into the fields of humanities and social sciences. Katie Archer Olson, Associate Professor/Co-Director of Education, Alaska Pacific University
List of Figures
Notes on Contributors
Introduction
Luis Javier Pentón Herrera, Ethan Trinh and Bedrettin Yazan
PART 1: Curating the Self
1 Navigating Queer and Latinx Identities throughout My Doctoral Program
Journey
Gabriel T. Acevedo Velázquez
2 Im Going Back to School: A Fortysomething-Year-Old Urban Appalachian and
the Academy
Rebecca L. Thacker
3 Two Birds, One Queer Body, All Negotiation: An Autoethnography on the
Pursuit of Dual Terminal Degrees
Erin H. York
4 Asset, Not Deficit: The Growth Mindset of a First-Generation Doctoral
Candidate
Melinda Harrison
5 Digging up Bones: A Duoethnography about Marriage, Parenting, and Doctoral
Study
Nick Bardo and Joanelle Morales
PART 2: Embracing the Community
6 Sailing out of the Drift: A Duoethnographic Study of an Empowered
Partnership
Lisa D. Wood and Nara Yun
7 The Balancing Act: A Duoethnographic Study of How Two Strangers Helped Each
Other Hold It Together through the Doctoral Process
Afiya Armstrong and Christel Young
8 Tensions in Transition: Visual Collaborative Autoethnography as Analysis of
and Healing from the Academic Job Market
Linda Helmick, Rebecca Borowski and Alexis Saba
9 Between Writing and Tutoring: A Duoethnographic Perspective
Ahmad A. Alharthi and Caitlin Beare
10 Resisting Neoliberal Norms through a Pedagogy of Care: A Collaborative
Autoethnography of Three Doctoral Students Comprehensive Exams Experience
Kimberly Sterin, Katrina Struloeff and Christopher Fornaro
11 Channeling the Inner Astronaut: Exploring Peer Relationships in Online
Doctoral Programs
Olya Perevalova and Anya Ezhevskaya
Final Thoughts
Luis Javier Pentón Herrera, Ethan Trinh and Bedrettin Yazan
Luis Javier Pentón Herrera is Full Professor at the Akademia Ekonomiczno-Humanistyczna w Warszawie, Poland, the Coordinator of the Graduate TESOL Certificate at The George Washington University, United States, and Co-Editor of Tapestry: A Multimedia Journal for Teachers and English Learners.
Ethan Trinh is a Vietnamese, queer, non-binary, immigrant, researcher, and critical language teacher educator and earned their doctorate at Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA. Their works focus on emotions and well-being in language education that embraces queerness as a healing teaching and research practice.
Bedrettin Yazan is Associate Professor in the Department of Bicultural-Bilingual Studies at the University of Texas at San Antonio. His research focuses on language teacher identity, language policy and planning, and World Englishes. Methodologically he is interested in critical autoethnography, narrative inquiry, and qualitative case study.
