Invisibilization Under the Microscope: Experiences of Ph.D. Students With Chronic Illness

• In Event: Focusing on Mental Health and Well-Being: An Exploration of Student Experiences With Chronic Illness and Mental Health

Abstract

A growing body of research has focused on experiences of chronic illness in higher education, but few studies have specifically centered chronically ill PhD students. To address this gap, this collective case study examines how PhD students with chronic illness describe their healthcare, academic, and social experiences. Drawing upon semi-structured interviews with 16 PhD students with chronic illness, I find that participants encounter overarching conditions of “invisibilization under the microscope,” describing simultaneous forms of invisibility and forced visibility surrounding chronic illness that result from complex interpersonal, institutional, and structural/cultural factors. These findings extend critical analyses of ableism and disablism in academia, and they offer concrete directions for creating more accessible, anti-oppressive academic environments.

Author

• Madeline Olivia Kerr, Northwestern University