Ethical Inquiry: Understanding How Doctoral Students Consider Their Responsibilities as Emerging Researchers

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Wednesday 2:30 pm Four Seasons Ballroom 1
  In Roundtable Session: Teaching and Learning in Postsecondary Contexts (Table 12)

Abstract

This study critically considers the needs of emerging researchers in higher education (HE) doctoral programs. This paper draws on a multi-method qualitative study to offer empirical and theoretical insights into how early-career HE doctoral students make sense of their ethical responsibilities as emerging researchers. Participants’ descriptions of “legitimate” research practices illustrate their perception that the landscape of academic inquiry is inhospitable to critical practices of care that misalign with rationalist norms. The authors draw on Hall (2022)’s queer philosophy to grapple with the rationalist-informed “straight habits” of academic inquiry.

Authors

• Carli Rosati, Michigan State University

• Julia Anderson, Michigan State University