Birch, Lesley Jane (2011) Telling stories: a thematic narrative analysis of eight women's PhD experiences. PhD thesis, Victoria University.

Abstract

This research examined eight women’s stories about their PhD experiences to explore their lived experience of this journey and if gender was a consideration in their PhD journey. The aims of this thesis were firstly, to provide a more in-depth understanding of women’s decisions to participate in doctoral education; and secondly, to provide a more in-depth understanding of women’s experiences in undertaking doctoral degrees and the factors that increase their chances of successful completion. Using thematic narrative analysis, the study found that motivation to do a PhD is multi-faceted. In some instances the motivations were complementary, such as a personal interest in the topic and/or the discipline and wanting to begin or build an academic career. In some cases they were incongruent – being awarded a prestigious scholarship was motivation for one woman to start her degree, but the departmental pressure and expectations that went along with it were de-motivating.

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