De/constructing the Academic Hood

Reflexive Considerations for Doctoral Researcher Socialization for International Research

Authors

  • Louise Michelle Vital
  • Christina W. Yao

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.32674/jis.v11iS1.3844

Keywords:

Doctoral education, socialization, research training, international research, social position, spatial position, intellectual imperialism, methodological nationalism

Abstract

Doctoral education is often lauded as a site of academic socialization and research training for nascent scholars. However, discussions of socialization seldom problematize the dangers of intellectual imperialism and methodological nationalism inherent in doctoral researcher socialization. As such, the traditional socialization practices for doctoral students in the United States (U.S.) must be interrogated and expanded to move towards equitable practices for research, especially for students conducting international research. Using social and spatial positioning as our conceptual framing, we problematize and question current approaches and practices to doctoral researcher training in the U.S. We use the academic hood, which is granted upon successful completion of doctoral studies, as a metaphor to reconsider how to reflect upon and navigate power dynamics and knowledge production within the U.S. academy.

Author Biographies

  • Louise Michelle Vital

    LOUISE MICHELLE VITAL, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor of International Higher Education at Lesley University. Her primary line of inquiry is related to the global dimensions of higher education and her research centers on a regional focus on Haiti, international perspectives of education practice, and student experiences in higher education. Email: louisemichellevital@gmail.com

    ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6305-7088

  • Christina W. Yao

    CHRISTINA W. YAO, Ph.D. is an Assistant Professor of Higher Education and Program Coordinator for the Higher Education and Student Affairs Master’s program at the University of South Carolina. She is a qualitative researcher who primarily studies student engagement and learning in higher education. She operationalizes her research focus through three connected topical areas, including: international student mobility, scholar-practitioner preparation, and transnational education. Email: cy9@mailbox.sc.edu

    ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7572-0318

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Published

2021-05-21

How to Cite

De/constructing the Academic Hood: Reflexive Considerations for Doctoral Researcher Socialization for International Research . (2021). Journal of International Students, 11(S1), 68-85. https://doi.org/10.32674/jis.v11iS1.3844