PhD Researchers Engaging with Academia: Four Generative Metaphors

CECILIA: All right, the paper's done. We're almost finished now. All we need is the abstract. LEONARDO: Yes. Thank goodness. Let's get to it. Just a few words – well chosen, and bold. Let's not spoil the whole thing, okay? CECILIA: Yeah. Let's make it as bizarre as the rest, though. After all, an abstract's like a movie trailer, isn't it? LEONARDO: Indeed. Okay. Let's begin. An awkward silence falls between CECILIA and LEONARDO. CECILIA: Okay. Look, let's make it, like, standard, okay? I don't really feel like working today. I don't even have a proper job at the moment. LEONARDO: You're right. I'm with you. Let's make it quick. A few minutes later… CECILIA: Okay, that was easy. Let's reread it for a second: The doctorate is a critical stage in the lives of subjects and institutions. In this paper, a post-qualitative approach has been mobilized along with metaphorical thinking and 7 interviews with PhD researchers in order to explore this crucial threshold moment. In particular, four types of engagement have been singled out through which doctoral researchers engage academia: i) the 'worship', in which they describe themself as 'chosen ones' accessing the sacred place of knowledge production; ii) the 'play', in which they learn to play the 'game' of academia; iii) the 'safe harbor', in which they engage academia as a warm and intimate haven; iv) the 'Doom', in which they feel trapped and crushed by an imponderable System. Finally, a further transformative and critical engagement of PhD students with academia has been envisioned based on reflexivity and participation as tools for transforming academia. LEONARDO: Quite extraordinary. Let's submit it.