This webinar that will be of interest to those undertaking Professional Doctorate Journeys; narratives from female academics with potential implications for leaders of Professional Doctorates as well as those currently undertaking this form of scholarly work.

Webinar 3: Higher Education narratives beyond the academy.

Booking system now open

This Webinar is part of the SRHE Newer Researchers Network International Online Webinar Series 2018. The webinars provide a space where researchers can share their research in an engaging, relevant and informative way and to receive constructive feedback from their peers.  This is the second of three webinars and will start discussions ahead of the SRHE Newer Researchers Conference on the 4th December 2018.

Presentation 1
‘From Student to Graduate: Four Learners’ Perspectives of the Professional Doctorate Journey’

Presentation Summary

During this webinar, we will discuss our experiences and perspectives as four female academics who were the first graduates of a new Professional Doctorate programme. We position ourselves simultaneously as researchers and research participants, engaging in collaborative autoethnography to critically reflect on our experiences. We will identify a number of key issues including the need to navigate some significant shifts in identity throughout the doctorate, and how the course structure and peer relationships supported each of us to reach our end goal – the successful completion of our studies. We will conclude the discussion focusing on the potential implications of our experiences for leaders of Professional Doctorates.

Louise Webber,  is a Lecturer in Early Childhood Studies at Plymouth University. Initially she was employed in a Further Education College but after completing her Doctorate wanted to pursue a more research focused teaching career. Her doctorate focused on Mature Women and Higher Education: Reconstructing Identity and Family Relationships.

Helen Goodall is a part-time Senior Lecturer at the University of St Mark and St John and also works independently in the field of professional and organisational development. Her doctorate explored Professional Development: A Participative Study of a Self-facilitated Learning Group.

Valerie Huggins is a Researcher in Early Education for Sustainability for VSO and previously an Associate Professor in Early Childhood Studies at Plymouth University. Since gaining a doctorate, she has taken on senior leadership roles in teaching and learning and internationalisation. Valerie’s doctorate considered the extent to which international study visits promoted the intercultural capabilities of the students who participated.

Karen Wickett is a Lecturer and Joint Programme Leader in Early Childhood Studies at Plymouth University. At the beginning of the doctorate she was employed part time in a Children’s Centre as a teacher and at Plymouth University as a lecturer. Her doctorate explored Beliefs and Relationships during the Transition to School: Parents, Practitioners and Teachers.