The whispers of doubt: ten years after the PhD and pervasive imposter syndrome

Lynes, Adam (2025) The whispers of doubt: ten years after the PhD and pervasive imposter syndrome. In: Embracing the Unknown: Experiences of Studying for a PhD in the Social Sciences. Policy Press. ISBN 9781447373896

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Abstract

This chapter reflects on the enduring presence of imposter syndrome throughout and beyond the PhD journey. Drawing on personal experiences that span from early education to life as an Associate Professor, it explores how formative setbacks, classed experiences of alienation, and the neoliberal pressures of academia cultivate persistent feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt. Through vivid accounts - from struggling in undergraduate seminars to the anxieties of international conference presentations - the narrative traces how external validation often intensifies, rather than alleviates, these insecurities. Yet, the chapter also highlights how vulnerability and shared honesty can transform imposter syndrome into a source of empathy, connection, and mentorship. By embracing imperfection and recognising imposterism as a collective rather than individual burden, the chapter argues that such feelings may be reframed as a bridge to supporting others. Ultimately, it offers reassurance that self-doubt is a common academic experience and a reminder that no one faces it alone.

Item Type:	Book Section
Dates:	Date Event 18 June 2025 Published Online
Subjects:	CAH15 - social sciences > CAH15-01 - sociology, social policy and anthropology > CAH15-01-02 - sociology
Divisions:	Law and Social Sciences > Criminology and Sociology > Criminology
Depositing User:	Gemma Tonks
Date Deposited:	06 Oct 2025 13:38
Last Modified:	06 Oct 2025 13:38
URI:	https://www.open-access.bcu.ac.uk/id/eprint/16664

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