Passion and Purpose in the Humanities: Exploring the Worlds of Early Career Researchers

This book takes readers on a journey into the experiences, struggles and triumphs of early career researchers in the humanities.

In the spirit of guiding emerging scholars and researchers in higher education, the edited volume highlights lived experiences of researchers and ways to navigate the struggles and values of research in the humanities. Featuring 20 unique essays by emergent scholars who weave their personal lives into their research passions, this book offers a window into the experience of researchers in both professional and personal developments. The chapters are accompanied by letters of encouragement and advice from senior researchers who reflect on the role that research has played in their lives. Each chapter further engages with the literature relevant to the topic, firmly grounding the work in the academic field. The book also includes a section on how to use the book, providing prompts for discussion and reflection that encourage self-guided exploration and collaborative reading.

Providing inspiration and deep insight, this book is a unique resource for postgraduate students, advanced degree and early career researchers, as well as their supervisors, in the humanities and beyond.

Marcus Bussey is a Senior Lecturer in History and Futures, School of Law and Society, University of the Sunshine Coast, Australia.

Camila Mozzini-Alister is a Lecturer in Sociology, University of the Sunshine Coast, Australia.

Bingxin Wang is an independent scholar working in both China and Australia.

Samantha Willcocks is an independent researcher based in Australia.