“They Want Our Faces, but They Don't Want Our Experiences”: Counter-Stories from Black Doctoral Students

• In Event: Experiences of Black Scholars in Academia

Abstract

This study uses counterstory methodology to explore how 24 Black graduate students navigated doctoral programs in research-intensive and predominantly white universities. Participants described their experiences in postgraduate programs as characterized by tokenization and social isolation. Participants also named the faculty’s critical role in hindering and helping their academic processes and described strategies to navigate and overcome the systemic and social barriers they faced. These findings evidence the need to develop and improve pathways for diversity, equity, and belonging (DEB) in doctoral programs and universities.

Authors

• Rachel Madison Torres, Wayne State University

• Manasseh Cudjoe, Wayne State University

• Anthony Webster, Wayne State University

• Erica B Edwards, Wayne state University