Traversing Through Reversing: Using Doctoral Studies to Juxtapose Research with Practice

Abstract

My practice has always afforded me great interest and pleasure and, as my working life has now concluded, I feel compelled, despite the eleventh hour, to write my doctorate about it. Thus, my research journey is a backwards affair as I retrace my steps from where I am now to the beginning of my practice. My practice was a peer-assisted learning program where experienced students guided novice students with their studies. My time and effort were devoted to managing the program; research was (almost) a luxury. Now retirement offers me the opportunity to research my life’s practice and passion. As I reflect for this chapter, I have drawn parallels between my journey and those of Alice’s into wonderland and the world beyond the looking glass.