Undertaking a PhD is no easy feat, particularly when combined with work, family and personal factors.
Bingqing (Bonnie) Li, Lecturer in Teacher Education and Pedagogy, has published a chapter exploring how female doctoral students navigate these often-competing demands.
“Much of the existing research in this area overlooks the intersection of cultural, institutional, and gendered factors that shape these experiences,” she says.
“This study focuses on the nuanced, lived experiences of female doctoral students and their strategies for sustaining resilience – and surviving and thriving in their studies.”
“We discovered that resilience is a dynamic process influenced by the interplay of personal determination, social support networks and institutional frameworks.”
“The participants adapted by using strategies such as seeking peer support, selectively engaging with supervisors and reframing challenges positively.”
Bonnie adds that the study provides a deeper understanding of resilience as a multidimensional construct within doctoral education.
"This work informs institutional policies and practices to better support diverse doctoral students, promoting equity and inclusivity in higher education.”
