Adjusting One's Head to Advanced Research

Diana Leonard, A Woman's Guide to Doctoral Studies. Buckingham: Open University Press, 2002.

Reviewed by Myfanwy McDonald.

I must admit that I didn't read this book 'cover-to-cover in one sitting' as did one person whose enthusiastic comments are included as a back-cover blurb for Diane Leonard's A Woman's Guide to Doctoral Studies. This kind of enthusiasm may be indicative of someone who likes a guide type of book (and I wouldn't include myself in that category), it may also be indicative of someone who doesn't have 50 other books to read on the topic of their thesis along with having a book like Leonard's to read about doing the thesis itself. The notion of 'A Woman's Guide …' is also a potential put-off for those of us who are accustomed to not having our specific experiences covered (lesbian, non-Anglo and so on) when it comes to a description of women's lives. Juggling a family and a career, for example, seems to be the dominant theme in most discussions regarding women's development in Australia. But too often the family being juggled is heterosexual and characterised by a present/absent father and kids, thereby discounting those of us who are caring for older parents, are single, or who have a female partner. Furthermore in these discussions, a career doesn't usually refer to a Doctorate, which isn't classified as a career per se, but Doctoral students are still encouraged to view it as a full time job (with a just-livable wage and without any kind of security beyond the 'reasonable completion period' of 3.5 years).

It is comforting to note that Leonard's book does not ignore lesbian, non-Anglo, International and differently-abled perspectives. I found the book helpful, especially because it is feminist in a practical sense rather than simply adhering to a superficial feminist perspective. For example, Leonard emphasises the importance of women Doctoral students establishing genuine, strong, social networks within academia because of the potential sexism they may face in an academic environment. This may seem to be rather obvious advice but I think it is not unusual to assume, for younger women especially, that once you've passed through a certain number of 'hoops', thereby proving your capability and commitment, you are relatively immune from discrimination of the sexist type. This is a nice thought but not very realistic. Academic environments exude their own brand of sexism, and women still have to be aware, regardless of how qualified they may be. It's also easy to forget that there is a world beyond one's thesis - in the immediate vicinity, this is other Doctoral students, and support networks aren't just about looking out for oneself but looking after the community of women within academia.

The book opens with a broad-based view of Doctoral studies, namely how Doctoral students fit into the new 'skills'-based rather than 'expansion of the mind'-based academic environment. Leonard summarises the impact of these changes upon Doctoral students in Britain and, on the whole, this seems relevant to the Australian experience. Perhaps the most tangible change is the pressure upon Doctoral students to complete their thesis within a specific time period, rather than adopting the more laid-back attitude of our predecessors who saw their thesis as more or less a life project. The less relevant discussion in this opening chapter is, perhaps, the detailed explanation of how British Universities are monitored by the British government in relation to issues like Teaching Quality. Leonard does cover the affects of these changes upon Australian Universities but she tends to focus upon purely economic issues, such as the 'internationalisation' of Australian educational facilities.

Despite the occasional in-depth discussion on the specifics of the British higher education system the book is still wholly relevant for an Australian audience. The book is not, thankfully, a generic guide (as in: The Idiot's Guide To …). It has obviously been written by someone who has both completed a thesis and supervised a number of postgraduate students. Hence Leonard offers a number of absolute gems that really ring true but which are often not acknowledged in the fast paced, academically focused world of postgraduate studies:
Stress in doctoral studies is better handled by getting an understanding of disciplinary socialisation rather than by time management; by recognising that one has been put (back) into an apprentice position, and coping with this through negotiating a more equal relationship with one's supervisor; and by establishing solidarities with others in the same situation, rather than by retreating into one's room and adjusting one's 'head.'
(I originally read the last line of this passage as: 'rather than by retreating into one's room and adjusting one's hair', which is probably also timely advice.)

Leonard also addresses issues relating to the most fundamental aspect of the Doctoral experience - the relationship between the student and his/her supervisor. Apparently knowledge and authority are a 'sexy' combination which is why students seem to fall quite easily for people (that is, academics) they wouldn't look twice at on the street. The section on 'Relating to Your Supervisor' (separate from the discussion on intimate relations) is less sensational but more broadly relevant as all Doctoral students will have to build and maintain an effective relationship with their supervisor. For most students the main issue in the supervisory relationship will probably not be physical intimacy but personal intimacy - or how to combine or differentiate between, depending on the circumstances, one's Self (one's personal experiences and personal life) and one's thesis. This then becomes an issue of what the supervisory relationship actually means - personal, professional, both? What does one bring to the meeting and what does one leave at the door? These grey areas are perhaps more a reflection of the limitations of the academic environment than the shortcomings of either the student or the supervisor; as Leonard points out: 'It is probable that women fit the system less well, given it's set up from men's strength and possibilities.'

The chapters that address issues for students who are considering Doctoral studies are perhaps more relevant for people who have spent a considerable amount of time away from the academic environment; most Honours students, above all, would have been able to discuss the issues of choosing a supervisor, choosing the right University, sources of income and so on, with their Honours supervisors and other helpful academics. However, the chapters on a good start, research into gender, and sticking with the course are useful to all Doctoral students. Overall, I think the book provides a distinct advantage to PhD students in their first year when issues like departmental socialisation weigh heavily on students' minds. Perhaps, more importantly, first year students can spare more time to read the book than students in their second and third years who are usually more pressed for time and who have already worked out most of those issues for themselves.

If you're the kind of student who doesn't need study guides any more - how to write an essay, how to manage your time, how to succeed in a University environment and so on - this book is still very relevant. It provides information that your supervisor may not have the time to cover, such as finding mentors and joining professional associations both within your home country and outside it. The book's most valuable contribution is its constant reference to the interpersonal issues inherent to the Doctoral project, especially in the supervisory relationship but also, for any woman aiming for an academic career, less acknowledged issues like dealing with departmental cultures and developing positive connections. For these reasons, especially, the book is valuable, although probably not essential, for any Australian woman undertaking, or considering undertaking, Doctoral studies.

Myfanwy McDonald is a PhD student at the School of Political and Social Inquiry at Monash University. Her research interests span gender and space, the medicalisation of gender identities and transgender politics. She has an undergraduate degree in Sociology and Creative Writing from the University of Wollongong.