Nuanced navigation: narratives of the experiences of Black ‘All but Dissertation’ (ABD) women in the academy

Abstract

In this article, the authors examine the experiences that contribute to the delayed completion of doctoral programs among Black women. Building upon prevailing applications of doctoral student socialization, this study explores the ways race and gender intersect to shape the graduate school experiences of Black women pursuing EdD and PhD degrees. Semi-structured interviews with current graduate students and doctoral degree recipients reveal that the intersecting identities held by Black women are largely ignored during interactions with graduate faculty and peers, complicating the graduate school socialization process. Gendered priorities constrained time available to dedicate to studies, particularly during the writing stage. Black women described efforts to navigate dominant culture communication styles and the necessity to create networks of their own to overcome these challenges and move towards degree attainment. Implications for institutional policy and practice are shared.