Violence in doctoral education: uncaring/uncareful practices of supervisors, co-supervisors, professors, and institutional authorities

Abstract

Listen

Translate article

ABSTRACT This article argues that the absence of care during doctoral education in neoliberalised academia – which fosters values and measurements of the market, such as individualism, comparison, and accountability – is a form of violence. This violence consists of harmful acts or omissions that cause damage to students and is manifested through uncaring and uncareful practices of supervisors and co-supervisors as well as by professors and institutional authorities (SCPI). Thus, this study exposes how power imbalances and lack of support in some students-SCPI relationships are perpetuated in a neoliberal context. A qualitative phenomenological approach was used to understanding individuals’ lived experiences. Empirical data were obtained through semi-structured interviews with eight doctoral students at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) regarding their relationships with SCPI. The information was subjected to inductive thematic analysis, revealing that, according to these students’ perceptions, the uncaring practices involved dehumanised treatment and hindering research, and the uncareful practices comprised forsaking and extractivism. The consequences of these practices affect both the mental health of students and the development of their research. This highlights the urgent need to transform academia into a more caring and careful place.