Journal article
Supervision and the more-than-human: the role of spirituality in women’s doctoral education
Studies in Graduate and Postdoctoral Education, Vol.Advanced access
17-Sep-2026
Abstract
Purpose
There is a wealth of literature about factors that support the success of doctoral candidates, yet the support that doctoral candidates receive from more-than-human, spiritual elements is rarely addressed. Emerging evidence suggests that spiritual, ancestral and religious practices and beliefs can provide support to doctoral candidates. Research is now shedding light upon the role of spirituality in doctoral education, particularly its supportive influence for women candidates. This paper aims to investigate the complex role spirituality played in the doctoral education journeys of women candidates.
Design/methodology/approach
Using feminist and postcolonial/decolonial theories, this multi-sited case study interviewed 47 South African, Kenyan and Australian women of colour doctoral candidates to explore the entangled experiences of gender, race and class in doctoral education.
Findings
This study traces the complex ways in which spirituality was experienced by these women of colour during their doctoral education journey. While some participants drew strength from their spiritual practices, others foregrounded the demands of religious and cultural rituals and their movement from organised religion towards a form of feminist spirituality.
Research limitations/implications
This research has significant implications for doctoral education, particularly by demonstrating that spirituality operates not as a private belief but as a collective and epistemic practice that underpins resilience, identity formation and ethical research engagement in doctoral journeys.
Originality/value
This study offers a tri-country, nuanced and multidimensional analysis of how more-than-human elements shape doctoral education. Focusing on spirituality, this study challenges doctoral education approaches that are only framed by secular rationality and calls for greater recognition of spiritual dimensions as sources of support.
Details
- Title
- Supervision and the more-than-human: the role of spirituality in women’s doctoral education
- Authors
- Halima Namakula (Corresponding Author) - University of JohannesburgJiao Tuxworth - Queensland University of TechnologyCatherine Manathunga - University of the Sunshine CoastMaria M. Raciti - University of the Sunshine CoastWacango Muguro Kimani - University of JohannesburgJing Qi - RMIT UniversityBeatrice Akala - University of the WitwatersrandHinekura Smith - The University of QueenslandGina Wisker - University of BathShireen Motala - University of Johannesburg
- Publication details
- Studies in Graduate and Postdoctoral Education, Vol.Advanced access
- Publisher
- Emerald Publishing Limited
- DOI
- 10.1108/SGPE-12-2025-0204
- ISSN
- 2398-4694
- Copyright note
- © 2026 Halima Namakula, Jiao Tuxworth, Catherine Manathunga, Maria M. Raciti, Wacango Muguro Kimani, Jing Qi, Beatrice Akala, Hinekura Smith, Gina Wisker and Shireen Motala. Published by Emerald Publishing Limited. This article is published under the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY 4.0) licence. Anyone may reproduce, distribute, translate and create derivative works of this article (for both commercial and non-commercial purposes), subject to full attribution to the original publication and authors. The full terms of this licence maybe seen at Link to the terms of the CC BY 4.0 licenceLink to the terms of the CC BY 4.0 licence.
- Organisation Unit
- School of Business and Creative Industries; Indigenous and Transcultural Research Centre; School of Education and Tertiary Access; Education and Learning Futures Research Cluster
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 991260050202621
- Output Type
- Journal article
Metrics
1 File views/ downloads
1 Record Views