Storied Doctorates: Studying Environmental Sustainability Education Internationally (Transdisciplinary Perspectives in Educational Research, 1)

This book brings together the diverse narratives of researchers’ personalized stories about the process of doing doctoral research (PhD) in the field of Environmental and Sustainability Education (ESE) and about the life after the completion of such life-forming experience. The narratives go beyond the academic to discuss the different ways in which doctoral study in the field of environmental and sustainability education is experienced at the personal and professional level. Contributors are located in different countries in Europe, Australasia and Latin America. The different countries that the authors write from matters because it contextualizes both the process of studying environmental and sustainability education and the way in which this is experienced at a time when the world has become increasingly conscientized towards environmental challenges. As such the book is appreciated by established and emerging scholars in this field and in related fields around the world. Readers are presented with a comprehensive volume ideal for aspiring ESE researchers, supervisors, policy-makers and practitioners. Foreword Multiple Personal Research Journeys and Possible Support Structures Graduate School as a Way of Collaborating and Developing Summer and Seasonal Schools as Important Meeting Places Networks as Foundations for Seasonal Schools and International Collaborations Acknowledgements Abbreviations Contents About the Editors and Contributors Editors Contributors Chapter 1: Introduction The Importance of Environmental and Sustainability Education Narrative Lens Country Context Lens Transdisciplinary Lens Temporal Lens Description of Chapters Key Themes Summary of Chapters References Chapter 2: Deep Valleys, Dense Swamps, Narratives from a Life-World of a PhD-Student Once Upon a Time The Valley of Identity Crisis The Swamp of Planning Seminar Lively Meetings with Like-Minded But Different Colleagues Unhealthily High Levels of Stress A Turning Point Looking Ahead Addendum Epilogue Encountering Disorienting Dilemmas A Paradigm Shift Is Required Exodus References Chapter 3: The Process of Doctoral Studies as a Research Journey in a Sea of Diverse Feelings and Experiences From My Comfort Zone to the Travel for a New World Surfing on a Sea of Feelings Falling in Love Gaining Knowledge Becoming a Couple Reaching Stability Languages and Experiences: Ideas to Get Through the Crisis! Addendum References Chapter 4: Believing your Research Can Change the World Helps Introduction The Researcher as a Protagonist The Research Experience Research Training Collection of Data Research Findings Troubles, Triumphs and New Beginning References Chapter 5: Searching for a Center of Gravity Among Different Cultural, Educational and Epistemological Contexts During My Doctoral Studies The First Steps Towards a PhD My PhD Begins The Rest of My PhD Story Conclusion References Chapter 6: Challenges and Trips: The Ups and Downs of My PhD Experience Introduction Fachdidaktik – A New Research Field in Austria Environmental Education in Austria – Finding My Research Gap Getting Started – The First Chapter of My Story Ireland, Germany, Slovenia – It Seems to Take Three Trips to Write an Exposé The Next Chapter – Data Collection, New Trips and Learning to Cope with Negative Feedback Continued Doubt, New Perspectives and Gathering Momentum The Final Chapter Epilogue Addendum References Chapter 7: Finding My Own Voice Whilst Researching Students’ Voices The Story Behind the PhD Story Research Intentions Research Realities Finding the Right Methodological Approach Reconciling Researcher Perspectives and Methodology with Data Collection Realities Connecting with an International Community Finding My Voice Addendum References References of Addendum Chapter 8: Discovering Environmental Literacy: PhD Reflections About My Own Training Process The Beginning of the Journey The Journey’s Course The End of the Journey: The Backpack Is Full Addendum References References of Addendum Chapter 9: Slog Through Thoughts and Find the Right Way with Candle Light Introduction EE/ESD in Turkey The First Spark! Typical Components of PhD Research To Put all the Things into the Same Bowl: Challenges Possible Outcomes of the PhD Journey Clink vs. Flick Points PhD Student Tested with Obstacles (!) Last Words Addendum Appendix References Chapter 10: From the Seed to the Tree Brazilian School System and Study Location Research Field at University The Seed (Fig. 10.1) Environmental Education as a Law in Brazil Fertilize the Ideas for the Seed Being a Teacher and a Researcher: Was It Possible? Small Tree Growing (Fig. 10.2) Shadow of This Tree (Fig. 10.3) London, Amazon Forest and Collected Seeds Spread These Seeds and Make the Forest Bigger (Fig. 10.4) Addendum References Chapter 11: Reconsidering ESD Scholarship The Beginning of My Journey on the Path to Sustainability Next Stop: Higher Education ESD Scholarship Reconsidered Final Reflections on Pursuing a PhD on ESD Addendum References References of Addendum Chapter 12: Conclusion: An Afterword for Thinking Forwards References