Tara Brabazon1 & Elisa Armstrong2 & Nicky Baker3 & Samantha Batchelor4 & Julie Brose5 & Sue Charlton6 & Rebecca Carpenter-Mew7 & Maive Jackson Collett8 & Amanda Cooper9 & Sharon Ganzer10 & Cheryl Hayden11 & Libby Hammond12 & Anne McLeod13 & Jane Phillips14 & Jessica Thomas15 & Susan Witt16
1Professor of Cultural Studies at Flinders University, Australia
2PhD Candidate at Flinders University, Australia
3PhD Candidate at Flinders University and Physiotherapist, Australia
4PhD Candidate at Flinders University, Australia
5PhD Candidate at Flinders University, Australia
6Regional physiotherapist working at Stop Health – A Multidisciplinary Pediatric Allied Health Practice in Regional South Australia
7PhD Candidate at Flinders University, Australia
8PhD Candidate at Flinders University, Australia
9PhD Candidate at Flinders University, Australia
10PhD Candidate at Flinders University, Australia
11Writer and Communication Specialist, Australia
12PhD Candidate at Flinders University, Australia
13Workplace Learning Coordinator at Charles Sturt University, Australia
14PhD Candidate at Flinders University and Lymphoedema Physiotherapist and Member of the Australian College of Physiotherapy, Australia
15PhD Candidate at Flinders University, Australia
16PhD Candidate at Flinders University, Australia
Abstract: Recent studies have confirmed profound mental health concerns within PhD student cohorts. Phrases like ‘imposter syndrome’ pepper student narratives of their candidature. This article explores one intervention in this tale of mental health concerns, attrition and disappointment. Exploring a born-digital writing community termed the Write Bunch, we investigate how communities can be formed that enable support and success, compassion and excellence. This study is particularly noteworthy because the interruptions of COVID-19 were managed through already existing support structures.
Keywords: Pandemic PhD, Writing Communities, Writing Ecologies, Digitization, Disintermediation, Deterritorialization
Published: January 10, 2022
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International Journal of Social Sciences & Educational Studies
ISSN 2520-0968 (Online), ISSN 2409-1294 (Print), December 2021, Vol.8, No.4