In this article, Dr Kati reflects on how the high drop-out rate of PhD students in Kenya prompted him to re-evaluate his role as a research supervisor. Dr Kati writes about the importance of mentorship, empathy and nurturing professional development during a student’s journey.
Traore Maïmouna unveils the undocumented struggles of women navigating the demands of childbirth and parenting while pursuing their doctoral studies. From the absence of maternity leave policies to the strategies employed by these resilient women, the narrative sheds light on the humanization of doctoral supervision and calls for institutional changes to support the holistic well-being of doctoral candidates. Editorial note: I removed reference to female PhD students as ‘girls’ since it is not possible for a PhD student to be younger than 18, the age of adulthood in South Africa.
From juggling roles as a mother, wife, and professional to overcoming social stress and isolation, Dr. Mmabaledi K. Seeletso shares her remarkable experience as a multitasking Ph.D. candidate. Her narrative offers valuable insights for both supervisors and doctoral students, emphasizing the importance of understanding and supporting the multifaceted lives of scholars.
