Riding the auto/biographical PhD rollercoaster: experiencing difference, difficulties, emotions, and relationships

Hadley, Robin ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4254-7648 (2022) Riding the auto/biographical PhD rollercoaster: experiencing difference, difficulties, emotions, and relationships. In: The Doctoral Journey As an Emotional, Embodied, Political Experience: stories from the field. Routledge, London, pp. 151-158. ISBN 9780429330384 (ebook); 9780367352837 (hardback); 9780367352851 (paperback)

Preview

Accepted Version Available under License Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial No Derivatives. Download (219kB) | Preview

Abstract

The absence of men’s voices surrounding men’s experiences of involuntary childlessness was the inspiration for my auto/biographical PhD study. I found undertaking the research involved a great deal of emotional effort, and the call of my working-class roots and feelings of unworthiness were constant companions. Qualitative researchers sometimes describe themselves as a ‘bricoleur’ (a makeshift artisan) in order to convey the eclectic nature of their research. I adapt that description and view myself as a ‘bateleur’: an acrobat, buffoon, juggler, tightrope walker, and tumbler. In my native Mancunian ‘bateleur’ is pronounced ‘battler’: reflecting my struggle through the highs and lows I experienced during my PhD.