A roadmap for the researcher: parallel journeys into communities of practice

Bird, S and King, H (2026) 'A roadmap for the researcher: parallel journeys into communities of practice.' In: Andrews, J, Waller, R and Manison, L, eds. Theoretical perspectives on learning and teaching: lessons from doctoral studies. Emerald, pp. 161-178. ISBN 9781836625544

Abstract

This chapter draws parallels between the journey of the student participants in Sara Bird's thesis, and her journey into the pedagogic research community. In dialogue with her supervisor, Helen King, a roadmap for doctoral researchers and other novice pedagogic researchers is proposed. Sara's thesis explored the impact of a transitional Community of Practice (CoP) within a first-year, BA (Hons) Marketing Communications degree module. Using an action research methodology, Sara developed and evaluated pedagogic practice to enhance undergraduates’ employability through seminar-based sessions between students and employers. The success of co-creation approaches was also critiqued. A theoretical lens of Lave and Wenger's (1991) CoP theory was used, and here, we apply the same theory to the journey of the doctoral researcher. CoPs are characterised by three foundational elements: joint enterprise, mutual engagement, and a shared repertoire (Wenger, 1998). Sara and Helen discuss how these were reflected in Sara's study, for students, and also in Sara's engagement with the pedagogic research community. The processes of situated learning and legitimate peripheral participation, fundamental to CoPs, are also discussed. This creates a roadmap which charts the detours, short cuts and occasional dead ends that characterise a doctoral degree. We conclude with suggestions for doctoral students undertaking their own journey through a thesis and into the pedagogic research community. These focus upon the importance of the journey itself in developing skills for a long-term career in pedagogic research, and the value of engaging with the old-timers of the research community at the earliest opportunity.

Item Type:	Book Chapter or Section
Divisions:	Professional Services
Date Deposited:	17 Aug 2026 11:38
Last Modified:	17 Aug 2026 11:38
URN:	https://researchspace.bathspa.ac.uk/id/eprint/17897

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