Biology Doctoral Students as “Docile Bodies”: Unpacking the Subtle Disciplinary Power Within Doctoral Programs

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Thursday 2:15 pm - Gold 1
  In Roundtable Session: Student motivation and academic achievement

Abstract

This study adopts Foucault’s concept of disciplinary power to examine socialization in biology PhD programs. Analysis of 11 interviews reveals subtle disciplinary power mechanisms through spatial control of the bodies, control of activities, hierarchical observation, normalization of judgment, and self-discipline/regulation. These findings indicate how academic socialization produces disciplinary power.

Authors

• Noha Ramadan, Utah State University

• Lorraine Jessop, Utah State University

• David F. Feldon, Utah State University