Road to PhD : Resilience and Growth in the Doctoral Journey / edited by Hlamulo Wiseman Mbhiza, Kin Eng Chin, and Nathi Zongozzi.

Format:

Book

Contributor:

Chin, Kin Eng, editor.

Mbhiza, Hlamulo Wiseman, editor.

Zongozzi, Nathi, editor.

Series:

Educational Research E-Books Online, Collection 2026

The Doctoral Journey in Education ; 11.

The Doctoral Journey in Education ; 11

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Education.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (233 pages)

Edition:

1st ed.

Other Title:

Resilience and Growth in the Doctoral Journey

Place of Publication:

Leiden ; Boston : Brill, 2026.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

As you delve into the pages of this first volume of Road to PhD you are embarking on a journey that transcends the mere acquisition of knowledge about doctoral studies and delves deep into the essence of scholarly identity development. This book, with its focus on authors’ reflections on their doctoral journeys, offers a peculiar and profound perspective on the transformative process of pursuing a doctorate in different geographic locations. Each story shared in this volume is a testament to the resilience, passion, and dedication that characterises the doctoral experience, and is unique for each individual contributor. Contributors are: Danille Elize Arendse, Kyle John Bester, Sibonelo Blose, Thokozane Dyosini, Nonjabulo Fortunate Madonda, Rose Satsope Maoto, Paul Maluleka, Motshidisi Masilo, Lynette Lulama Mbatha, Sithembele Goodman Ndovela, Ntombizandile Gcelu, Fui Fong Jiew, Zingiswa Jojo, Samantha Kriger, Mamochana Anacletta Ramatea and Free-Queen Bongiwe Zulu.

Contents:

Intro

Contents

Research Justification

Preface

Acknowledgements

Figures and Tables

Figures

Tables

Notes on Contributors

Part 1: Personal and Academic Development in Doctoral Journeys

1. Doctoral Experiences as Tools for Social Transformation and Social Justice through Education

Abstract

Keywords

1 Introduction

2 Doctoral Autoethnographic Experiences

3 Using the Narrative Approach

4 Introducing the Chapters

4.1 Chapter 1 by Hlamulo Wiseman Mbhiza, Kin Eng Chin and Nkosinathi Zongozzi

4.2 Chapter 2 by Hlamulo Wiseman Mbhiza

4.3 Chapter 3 by Fui Fong Jiew

4.4 Chapter 4 by Paul Maluleka

4.5 Chapter 5 by Thokozane Dyosini

4.6 Chapter 6 by Matshidiso Masilo

4.7 Chapter 7 by Danille Arendse and Kyle Bester

4.8 Chapter 8 by Zingiswa Jojo

4.9 Chapter 9 by Satsope Maoto

4.10 Chapter 10 by Lulama Mbatha

4.11 Chapter 11 by Ntombizandile Gcelu

4.12 Chapter 12 by Free-Queen Bongiwe Zulu

4.13 Chapter 13 by Samantha Kriger

4.14 Chapter 14 by Mamochana Ramatea

4.15 Chapter 15 by Hlamulo Wiseman Mbhiza, Kin Eng Chin and Nkosinathi Zongozzi

5 The Complexity and Multifaceted Nature of Doctoral Experiences

6 Concluding Remarks

References

2. The Making of the Rural Doctoral Graduate and Mathematics Education Researcher

2 Literature Review: Intersections of Rurality and Mathematics Education

3 Employing the Autoethnographic Methodology

4 Interest in Studying Mathematics Education within Rural Schools

5 Nature of Supervisor Comments That Strengthened My Study

6 Support from the Funder and Hashtags I Coined Kept Me Going

7 Examination Feedback

8 Conclusion

3. A Doctoral Journey across the Ocean

1 Introduction.

2 Utilising an Autoethnographic Approach in Narration

3 Context

4 Experiencing Chaos and Uncertainty

5 Navigating Challenges through Determination, Self-Discovery, and Resilience

5.1 Determination

5.2 Self-Discovery

5.3 Resilience

6 Interwoven Aspects of Determination, Self-Discovery and Resilience

7 Concluding Thoughts

4. Why Should Doctoral Supervision Be Underpinned by Decolonial Love and a Pedagogy of Care?

2 Theoretical Insights: Decolonial Love

3 Literature Review

4 Methodological Approach: Autoethnographic

5 A Personal Antidote on My Experiences of Doctoral Supervision as a Doctoral Researcher That Was Underpinned by Decolonial Love

6 Closing Remarks: Towards Supervisor-Supervisee Relationships Underpinned by Decolonial Love

Note

5. Reflecting on the Use of Motivation as a Tool to Doctoral Success

2 From Application to Graduation

3 A Doctoral Journey Fuelled by Motivation

4 Leveraging Failure as a Motivational Catalyst for Doctoral Progress

5 Ubuntu Theory: A Framework for Community Support and Doctoral Studies

6 The Transformative Power of Mentorship in the Doctoral Journey

7 Cultivating a Culture of Academic Excellence: The Mentorship Paradigm

6. Road to PhD with the Community

2 Literature Review

2.1 Scepticism and Divergent Thinking about Research in Communities

2.2 Community Collaboration Propelled by Sharing a Common Goal and Common Characteristics

3 Eliciting from the Social Capital Perspective

4 Synthesis

5 Methodology

6 Findings and Discussion

6.1 Community Research Basics

6.1.1 Bridging for Social Capital Development

6.1.2 Bonding for Social Capital Development.

6.1.3 Linking of the Social Capital

7 How Social Capital Values Enhance School Community Research Activities

7. Dr. to Dr.

2 Dialogue between Authors

2.1 Being a First-Generation Graduate

3 A Psychologist Out of Place

4 Discussion

5 Conclusion

8. Cohort Workshops and Their Contribution to My Doctoral Journey

2 The Pre-Proposal Stage

3 My Experiences in Attending Cohort Workshops

4 Doctoral Studies in Hidden Cognition

5 Lessons Learnt in Cohort Workshops

6 Conclusion

Part 2: Challenges and Resilience in Doctoral Journeys

9. Handling a Critical Supervisor's Feedback

2 Methodology

3 Critical Supervisor's Feedback

3.1 Writing Literature Review

3.2 The Role of Theory in Research

3.3 Data Analysis, Writing, and Discussions of Findings

3.5 The 'Then' Afterthought

4 Postdoctoral Phase

10. Pursuing My PhD

2 Context of My Doctoral Study

3 My Family, as the Strong Foundation of the House

4 Funders as the Roof of the House

5 The Four Pillars of the House

5.1 The University of KwaZulu-Natal

5.2 Fortified by Friendship as a Second Pillar

5.3 Professional Network as the Third Pillar

5.4 My Participants as a Fourth Pillar

11. Collaboration and Ubuntu the Keys to Effective and Sustainable Supervision

2 Collaboration in Supervision

3 Ubuntu in Supervision

4 Sustainable Supervision

5 Principles of Sustainable Leadership

5.1 Long-Term Vision Grounded in Collective Purpose

5.2 Systems Thinking in Educational Ecosystems.

5.3 Promoting Equity and Social Justice through Relationships

5.4 Building Capacity through Mentorship and Shared Leadership

5.5 Ethical Supervision Anchored in Relational Accountability

6 Methodology

6.1 Supervisee A

6.2 Supervisee B

6.3 Supervisee C

7 Discussion of Findings

7.1 Theme 1: Collaboration Inspires and Motivates Togetherness

7.2 Theme 2: Challenges of Collaborative Supervision

7.3 Theme 3: The Effectiveness of Collaborative Approach to Supervision

7.4 Theme 4: Ubuntu is Key in Supervision

9 Recommendations Made by Supervisees for Supervisors

12. I Did Not Quit

2 Mapping My Doctoral Journey Using the Memory Drawing

3 Support Structures during the Doctoral Journey

3.1 Supervisors

3.2 Cohort

3.3 Family

3.4 Funding Agency

3.5 Institutional Support

4 Discussion and Conclusion

13. Conducting the Symphony of Research

2 Background

3 Inception: The Seed of Curiosity-A Passion for Music

4 Navigating the Unknown-From Dissonance to Harmony

5 Crescendos and Decrescendos within the Doctoral Journey

6 Harmonising with Inquiry-Embracing the Research Process

7 The Crescendo of Exploration: Towards New Musical Horizons

14. Conquering the Summit

2 Mapping the Terrain

2.1 Navigating the Academic Landscape

2.2 Originality and Theoretical Underpinning

2.3 Knowledge and Practices

2.4 Good Doctoral Research

3 Challenges and Triumphs

3.1 Navigating Challenges and Reflecting on Agentic Capability Framework

4 Conclusion

15. Metalogue between the Authors about Doctoral Journeys

2 Metalogue between the Authors

2.1 What Insights or Lessons Learned from Your Doctoral Experiences Do You Believe Are Essential for Aspiring Researchers and Scholars Embarking on Their Own Academic Pursuits?

2.2 How Did Sharing Your Personal Struggles and Triumphs in Your Autobiographical Reflection Contribute to a Deeper Understanding of the Human Side of Scholarly Pursuit, and What Motivated You to Share These Intimate Aspects of Your Journey?

2.3 How Has the Process of Reflecting on Your Doctoral Journey in This Book Influenced Your Ongoing Engagement with Academic Discourse and Research Endeavours?

2.4 In What Ways Do You Believe Your Unique Voice and Perspective as an Individual Have Influenced Your Research Findings, Theoretical Frameworks, and Academic Achievements during Your Doctoral Studies?

2.5 How Has Your Doctoral Journey Contributed to Your Personal Growth and Academic Development?

3 Editors' Final Words

References.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Description based on publisher supplied metadata and other sources.

Description based on print version record.

ISBN:

90-04-75005-3

9789004750050

OCLC:

1564840049

Publisher Number:

10.1163/9789004750050 DOI