Starting Academia Differently

"The unique and diverse stories offered here prove that there is no linear path to becoming an academic. Each journey is different and full of twists and turns. The authors share their stories in a heartwarming and readable way that makes them a joy to read." Jean Helms Mills, Saint Mary’s University, Canada

"As an Indigenous scholar, I see in these pages an honest reflection of the colonial barriers that continue to shape who is deemed “hireable” and whose knowledges are deemed “credible.” The collection captures the tension of balancing institutional demands with the equally sacred responsibilities we carry - to family, community, and land. It also reveals how much courage it takes for many of us to step into academic spaces not built for us, and to keep showing up with integrity, heart, and purpose despite the weight of those structures." François Bastien, University of Victoria, Canada

"Drawing from critical, feminist and decolonial theories, this volume offers precious insights around some salient themes in contemporary academic careers: identity and belonging, marginalization and resistance, motherhood and care, cultural hybridity, and the reimagining of academic practice. It offers an understanding of different ways of being an academic and inhabiting this professional context by delivering theory informed chapters which are also creative, evocative and personal, and sharing experiences across continents and socio-cultural backgrounds." Ilaria Boncori, Essex University, UK

"This book will undoubtedly encourage early career academics to embrace the legitimacy of their own paths and to claim their place in academia on their own terms." Paulina Segarra, Universidad Anáhuac México, México

"Maybe business school professors can address grand societal challenges, but first that means rocking the boat. I cannot wait to share this book with my doctoral students as they start their own winding journeys. I know it will inspire them, and the cohorts that follow, to chart their own course – and then tell their stories, knowing they have a community of fellow travelers." Maureen Scully, UMass Boston, USA