Navigating Unconventional Doctoral Journeys

This edited book delves into the experiences of a group of women who, as mature aged students, took on doctoral studies, persevered and succeeded. Drawing on their own experiences, the group of women from varied backgrounds consider, with hindsight, what prompted them to begin doctoral studies, what hurdles they faced, the strategies that supported their completions and how their doctoral success influenced their future journeys. The editor of the collection, Georgina Tsolidis, was their supervisor. The chapter authors, Stella Coram, Annabelle Leve, Melinda McPherson and Vikki Pollard, explore their motivation to enter doctoral study in turn. These case studies contribute to an overarching analysis of why women who are classified as mature aged students and have child rearing, work and other commitments choose to undertake such a challenging academic journey. The book will be of interest to researchers and postgraduate students of higher education, sociology of education and gender studies.

Georgina Tsolidis is Adjunct Professor of Alfred Deakin Institute of Citizenship and Globalisation at Deakin University, Australia.