Doing Doctoral Research at a Distance: Flourishing In Off-Campus, Hybrid, and Remote Pathways (Insider Guides to Success in Academia)

Emerging from personal experience and empirical research, Doing Doctoral Research at a Distance is a key companion text for doctoral students from a range of research fields and geographical contexts who are undertaking off-campus, hybrid, and remote pathways. Offering guidance about the entire off-campus doctoral journey, the book introduces contexts of distance study; key information to get off to a flying start; organising time, space and plans to get work done; juggling employment, family and other commitments alongside distance study; doctoral identity and wellbeing; working with doctoral supervisors at a distance; accessing research culture at a distance; and managing the bumps along the road of the distance doctorate. Written for doctoral researchers, this book offers strategies to help those working at a distance to flourish. This book is ideally suited for those contemplating distance study, distance doctoral students who are starting their off-campus journey, and supervisors and others who are working with distance doctoral researchers. ‘Insider Guides to Success in Academia’ offers support and practical advice to doctoral students and early-career researchers. Covering the topics that really matter, but which often get overlooked, this indispensable series provides practical and realistic guidance to address many of the needs and challenges of trying to operate, and remain, in academia. These neat pocket guides fill specific and significant gaps in current literature. Each book offers insider perspectives on the often implicit rules of the game – the things you need to know but usually aren’t told by institutional postgraduate support, researcher development units, or supervisors – and will address a practical topic that is key to career progression. They are essential reading for doctoral students, earlycareer researchers, supervisors, mentors, or anyone looking to launch or maintain their career in academia. Cover Half Title Series Information Title Page Copyright Page Table of Contents Acknowledgements 1 Introduction What Is Doctoral Research By “Distance” Today, and Why Think About It? An Extremely Brief History of Distance [doctoral] Education “Distance” Doctoral Education Today Why We Are Writing this Book Katrina’s Distance Doctoral Story Jamie’s Distance Doctoral Story The Team and Our Shared Positioning The Purpose of this Book What this Book Offers How to Read this Book Overview of the Book Activity: Owning Your Distance Doctoral Experience Notes References 2 Beginning Work: Deciding to Study at a Distance and Getting Off to a Flying Start Why Doctoral Research, and Why By Distance? Finding a University and a Supervisor With Distance in Mind Getting Off to a Flying Start Activity: Induction Checklist Connection-building Checklist Information-gathering Checklist Notes References 3 Outer Work: Organising Life, Time, and Space for Distance Doctoral Research Doctoral Research Is Complex Knowledge Work Getting Real About Time and Planning How Much Time Do You Actually Have? Activity: Calendar Audit Part 1: Your Actual Week Part 2: Your Ideal Week Productivity and Planning Creating Space for Yourself as a Distance Doctoral Student Resetting Your Ways of Working Activity: Exploring Your Strategies for Success Time, Planning, and Organisation Motivation and Accountability Space and Boundaries Note References 4 Juggling Work: Distance, Research, Employment, Family, and Care Responsibilities Academia, Employment, Family, and Community: “Greedy” Institutions Employment Responsibilities Family and Care Responsibilities Community, Social, and Cultural Responsibilities Finding Your Own Way Activity: Finding Ways to Juggle—and Flourish! Navigating Boundaries and Shared Decision Making With Others Staying Positive Amid the Juggle Activity: Rocks, Pebbles, Sand, and Water Note References 5 Inner Work: Identity, Perspective, and Wellbeing for Distance Doctoral Researchers The Complexities of Doctoral Identity Finding Yourself: Becoming a Doctoral Researcher Dealing With Imposter Feelings and Perfectionism Nurturing Your Health and Wellbeing Activity: Automatic Thoughts Notes References 6 Supervision Work: Communicating, Learning, and Connecting Via Distance Understanding the Purpose and Nature of Supervision Starting Well: Establishing a Positive Supervisory Relationship at a Distance Working Productively With Your Supervisor(s) at a Distance Digital Tools to Support Distance Supervision Cultivating Shared Understanding Across Contexts If Supervision Breaks Down Activity: Supervision Scaffolds References 7 Connection Work: Accessing Research Culture, Development, and Support Communities at a Distance Why Are Research Culture and Communities Important, and Why Do You Need Them? Accessing Research Culture and Communities Communities of Research Practice and Special Interest Groups Wider Networks and Communities Research Events Belonging and Accountability Pros and Cons of Advocacy and Self-Organising Other Ways to Access Researcher Development at a Distance Activity: Mapping Your Research Ecosystem References 8 Unexpected Work: Coping With Changes and Challenges On the Distance Journey Change Is Normal in the Doctoral Journey Strategies for All Seasons Strategies for Dealing With Personal Changes and Challenges Strategies for Dealing With Professional Changes and Challenges Strategies for Dealing With Study Changes and Challenges Returning and Rebuilding After Crises and Breaks The Change at the End of the Doctoral Journey Activity: Life Grid Reflection References 9 Final Thoughts Activity: Checking in With Your Present and Future Self Useful Resources Books Online Communities and Resources Websites and Blogs Facebook Notes Index