Enhancing the Australian doctoral experience : locating culture and identity at the centre

Culture and identity play a significant role in the education of Indigenous and non-Western doctoral students. While a substantial body of literature explores interpersonal communication in doctoral supervision, it remains largely silent about how history impacts on doctoral students' identities and their potential for unique knowledge creation. This book chapter draws upon postcolonial/decolonial theories and life history methodologies in order to more effectively contextualise Indigenous and non-Western doctoral students' identities in Australia. These life histories include those outlined by the Indigenous and Chinese members of this team of authors as well as one life history interview with a migrant Asian student. Through careful theorisation of the interconnections between the life histories of our participants and their supervision experience, an inventory of supervision strategies will be distilled to improve intercultural supervision.