Looking for, Learning from and Finally Becoming the Voice of Experience: A Communities of Practice Perspective on the Doctoral Journey

Abstract

The doctoral journey can be highly individualised, complex and ambiguous. I, in this chapter, reflect retrospectively on my personal doctoral journey and involvement in an informal community of practice (CoP). I examine the process in the light of existing research into CoPs, participation and other learning frameworks. I observe that, while the administrative guidelines were important measures of my progress against the institutional requirements, it was my evolving experience in the CoP from being the ‘newbie’ to becoming the one supporting others by sharing my knowledge and experiences that increased my confidence, and served as an indicator of my growth as a researcher. The content lends credence to the value of embracing CoPs in doctoral programmes, provides a useful frame to view the doctoral journey and sheds light on an individual’s evolution while she or he is a part of a CoP.