Intentional Silences Around Doctoral Student Status: Doctoral Students and the Search for Belonging

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session 15
  In Roundtable Session: Hollar If You Hear Me: Supporting Doctoral Students Through Their Academic Journey

Abstract

Significant research of identity development and socialization of doctoral students has highlighted the considerable transitions from earlier professional identities, often fraught with challenges and self-doubt (Foot et al., 2014). One potential obstacle to the development of a doctoral student identity, however, may be found in a reluctance to disclose one’s status as a doctoral student. The purpose of this study, then, was to explore various literacy doctoral students’ reasons for intentionally concealing their doctoral enrollment from significant others, both family and friends. We found that such silences served as powerful mechanisms by which individuals negotiated their multiple identities and relatedly complex social networks. In some cases, silences served as agentive modes of control in challenging personal and professional arenas.

Authors

• Corrine M. Wickens, Northern Illinois University

• Zoe A Cassady, Northern Illinois University

• Laura Crisp, Northern Illinois University

• Alison Douglas, Elgin Community College

• Eric Junco, Northern Illinois University

• Kristen Walsh, Northern Illinois University