Embracing the unknown : experiences of studying for a PhD in the social sciences / edited by Sarah Jones [and three others] ; foreword by Sarah Pemberton.

Format:

Book

Contributor:

Jones, Sarah, editor.

Pemberton, Sarah, writer of foreword.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Doctor of philosophy degree.

Social sciences--Study and teaching (Graduate).

Social sciences.

Humanities--Study and teaching (Graduate).

Humanities.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (xi, 249 pages) : digital, PDF file(s).

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Bristol : Policy Press, 2025.

Summary:

This book provides a real-world view of undertaking a PhD in the social sciences within environments that are underpinned by precarity, insecurity and competition. Demystifying the PhD journey with insightful guidance, it offers strategies to beat imposter syndrome, boost confidence and make connections and networks in higher education.

Contents:

Front Cover

Embracing the Unknown: Experiences of Studying for a PhD in the Social Sciences

Copyright Page

Table of Contents

Notes on contributors

Foreword

Introduction

Where to begin?

Observing the current landscape of higher education

In their own words: chronicling the PhD journey

Why this book is needed and now

Part I

1 Re-entering academia: the unexpected journey

The moment that changed everything

The suppression of grief

Finding 'me'

Turning over a new leaf

Overcoming and re-.defining personal barriers

Embracing new beginnings

Summary of reflections

2 Entering the fray: the hyper-competitive PhD environment

Competitiveness, originality, and innovation

Writing the personal statement

Constructing a research proposal: being gay and a victim

My research, my reality: mental preparation

Bringing it all together: presenting the PhD proposal

Lecturing: ageism and homophobia

3 Conceptualising a PhD topic: navigating my way through academia

Context of the PhD

Conceptualising a PhD topic

Finalising the PhD topic

Locating the gap in the literature

Refining the topic

Finalising the topic after PhD enrolment

Conclusion

4 New horizons: moving countries to start the PhD

Moving from one country to another country -. Czechia to the United Kingdom

Emotional costs of leaving the family home and the financial costs of relocation

Navigating in a 'foreign' city and experiencing culture shock

Overcoming challenges and discovering meaning in living abroad

Moving from one higher education institution to another

The route to Cambridge

Getting used to different institutional settings.

Being surrounded by international scholars and building new professional as well as personal support networks

Maintaining research ties with Czechia

5 From home to the unknown: applying for postgraduate study in the UK from the global south

Indian education and my experience

My decision to pursue a PhD abroad

Choosing the UK over other countries

Challenges encountered during the application process

New horizons

Editors' reflections: Part I

Part II

6 Navigating the depths of grief: a journey through grief while pursuing a PhD

From GCSE failure to PhD pursuit

Identity crisis

Turning pain into power

Roots and reflections

The intersection of grief and education

Love transcends death

7 Double duty: undertaking PhD research while being a full-time lecturer

Where my story begins

The opposite of yes: boundaries, time management, and prioritising your workload

Letting go of perfection: navigating fieldwork, expectations, and realities

Work, eat, PhD, repeat: work-life balance, friendships, and the importance of a strong support network

The elephant in the room: imposter syndrome, mentorship, and self-belief

8 Balancing act: balancing family life with the PhD

University life

Family life

Final thoughts

9 Managing the mind and PhD'ing

It started as a kid

This is how my mind works

Combating neurodiversity

Escapism

Neurodiversity vs university

Caring for the mind and PhD'ing

Conclusion: Navigating the academic space

Editors' reflections: Part II

Part III.

10 Safety in cultures of precarity: complex trauma and the value of 'trauma-informed' PhD supervision

Complex trauma

Threat within a neoliberal university

Remote working and interpersonal hypervigilance

Staying out of the spotlight

Trauma-informed or trauma-misappropriated?

Trauma-informed PhD supervision

11 Working for nothing: the exploitation of postgraduate students

Introduction: A cold wet day in January

Sale of the century: the scholarship

It's oh so quiet: parental alienation

I'm not okay: the deterioration of my mental health

Bog roll, breakdowns, and boxed wine: COVID-19

Imposter syndrome: by design?

Conclusion: A new dawn, a new day and I'm feeling okay

12 How close is too close? Ethical tensions and reflections in the Breddon Centre

The Breddon Centre

Methodological approach and research aims

The study

Participant observation and observant participation

Managing my 'selves'

Ethical dilemmas

13 Methodology unravelled: safely crossing the research minefield

Undertaking a methodological U-turn!

What are we up against? High-impact research and neoliberal structural conditions

Responding to structural conditions

Editors' reflections: Part III

Part IV

14 'Light at the end of the tunnel': the Viva and beyond

Introduction: The start of a new journey

Living la 'Viva Voce'

The next steps: negotiating the academic job market

It's what you know and who you know: the importance of building a network

15 The whispers of doubt: ten years after the PhD and pervasive imposter syndrome

Introduction: Where to start?.

Tracing the origins of my imposter syndrome

University life and alienation

A return to academia and the resurgence of imposter syndrome

Adam Lynes, Associate Professor in Criminology and impostor

Remember, you are not alone

16 Fifteen years later, at the moral crossroads: retaining purpose and direction in the face of academic capitalism

Introduction: The status quo of academic life for the foreseeable future

Academic capitalism

Once upon a time …

A long shot at university and a longer shot at PhD study

Red-.brick rejections =. post-92 pathway

Academic cul-de-sac, Spain, and the moral crossroads

(A) Discussion (for both of us)

17 Mentoring moments: a collaborative reflection on supervision

Getting a PhD -. the academic golden ticket

Why do a PhD? Supervisor and supervisees' reflections

The red flag supervisor: supervisee perspectives

Reflections on a 'red flag' supervisor -. Chelsea

Reflections on a 'red flag' supervisor -. Owen

Twenty years later: reflecting on my journey from PhD student to supervisor -. James

Editors' reflections: Part IV

References

Index.

Notes:

Title from publisher's bibliographic system (viewed on 12 Sep 2025).

Description based on publisher supplied metadata and other sources.

ISBN:

1-4473-7389-8

1-4473-7391-X

OCLC:

1523679040