Phenomenology Fiesta

June 2, 2023

Celebrating Achievements: Family, Support, and Exciting Opportunities

Amidst the blissful half-term weather, my heart brimmed with excitement as the long-awaited arrival of my doctoral award certificate brightened my day. This achievement is not mine alone; it represents a triumph for my entire family, as my journey has intertwined with the growth of my beloved children. Even my youngest, who was just 6 months old when I enrolled, has been a part of this incredible experience. Balancing the roles of mother and scholar has required careful attention and diligent time management, and I am immensely grateful for the unwavering support of my husband, mother, and close family. They have provided me with the precious space I needed to pursue my dreams.

While acknowledging the bittersweet note of my beloved father’s passing during this process, navigating the grief and yearning for his presence during significant moments in recent years, I find solace in the fact that my doctoral degree formal award date coincided with his birthday. It serves as a poignant reminder of his enduring influence in my life.

In addition to my own doctoral supervisors at the UWTSD, Dr. Alex Bell and Dr. Louise Emanuel I would like to express my profound gratitude to the remarkable community that surrounds me. I call out the wonderful Vanessa Damianou who supported me with my illustrations and the many friends and colleagues who have played instrumental roles in shaping my academic journey. I am particularly grateful to Dr. Mike Johnson (Cardiff University), my co-founder at hanfod.NL. who help me access a wider community of phenomenologists. And so it is with further excitement I share the news that our book proposal on Phenomenology in Networked Learning, crafted together with Professor Cathy Adams (University of Alberta) and Professor Nina Bonderup-Dohn (University of Southern Denmark), has also been officially approved and will feature in the esteemed Networked Learning Springer book series.

The book will showcase an exceptional line-up of contributors, each bringing their unique expertise and insights to the table. This opportunity is truly remarkable. Mike provides further insights here.

This journey has been a testament to perseverance, love, and the power of community. As I reflect on these milestones, I am filled with gratitude and anticipation for the bright future that awaits.

Dr Felicity Healey-Benson

5 responses to “Phenomenology Fiesta”

motiv8n

June 5, 2023 at 5:40 am

Congratulations Dr. Felicity on your amazing accomplishment and for sharing your inspiring story. I love hearing about how supportive your family has been throughout your journey. My question for you is, what has been the most challenging aspect of balancing motherhood and pursuing a doctorate degree, and how did you overcome it?

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1. Dr Felicity Healey-Benson
  
  June 5, 2023 at 9:26 am
  
  Thank you for your question and comments. My journey had many aspects that contributed to its unique story. One significant factor was falling in love with my research method. It may sound corny, but this passion and dedication were crucial in keeping me motivated and determined to finish. I saw the challenges as a labor of love, pushing me forward.
  
  Learning to be adaptable and always carrying my notebooks became essential. I wanted to capture ideas and thoughts immediately, ensuring that they wouldn’t slip away or create gaps in my work. Even if it meant reading a few paragraphs or making a few notes, I made it a habit to consistently engage with my research. This approach made it feel less overwhelming and more like a natural part of my routine.
  
  Efficiency and completion were significant driving forces for me. I knew that a streamlined and timely completion would release me from the pressure, so I didn’t want things to drag on. Failure wasn’t an option for me because it would have meant wasting the support of my family, which meant the world to me. Additionally, the emotional impact of losing my father during the process provided strong motivation to persevere.
  
  The hardest period was during lockdown when I had to juggle homeschooling my kids, delivering for my day job, and continuing my research. It was during this time that I learned to view reading and thinking as sources of mental health rather than challenges. Thankfully, my love for reading and writing played a significant role, and I also reached out to other researchers for support. Establishing a solid support system, both personal and academic, was crucial. I learned to be organized and efficient with my time, making the most of every available moment. I created a schedule that allocated specific blocks of time for my studies, mostly outside of core family time, but I always prioritized quality time with my loved ones. This required discipline, sacrifices, and relied heavily on the support of my mother and husband.
  
  To be honest, my health took a toll towards the end. I underwent a partial thyroidectomy, and despite pushing myself to do everything – being a mum, scholar, and committed to my university work and other projects, I did eventually hit a breaking point. Taking a few weeks off to recover after contracting COVID-19 helped me realize the importance of being kind to myself; recognizing I needed to prioritize self-care. Overall, my journey was filled with challenges, sacrifices, and moments of vulnerability. Passion, determination, a solid support system, and learning to be kind to myself, I was able to overcome the obstacles and achieve my goals. In my blog you will find key moments posted which explain how I tried to recharge or draw from my supports over the course of the years.
  
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  1. motiv8n
    
    June 5, 2023 at 1:53 pm
    
    Thank you for your extensive reply. I can relate to hitting a breaking point as I had a similar experience. My realisation of the problem came when my wife became incapacitated which meant that I had to stop working to take care of her and my family. That was when I realised how close I had been to total meltdown. Fortunately I recovered even though my marriage didn’t. I wish you the best of luck, good health and the continuing support of your family.
    
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  2. Dr Felicity Healey-Benson
    
    June 5, 2023 at 11:13 pm
    
    I am sorry to hear of how tough things have been. Thank you for sharing your story. You were selfless to step in and take care of your family. I do wish you well on your future too. There are often no shorts cuts to things we desire and I genuinely believe that we travel with others never alone. In your case you had to put your family first but I am sure you would do the same again. My dad’s passing came quite a shock and I found that my studies actually helped me when the grief was overwhelming. Take care.
    
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  3. motiv8n
    
    June 6, 2023 at 12:26 pm
    
    Family always comes first, or should. Thank you for your kind words.
    
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