The dissertation process as one of healing and unmasking for sexual assault survivors

AbstractLimited research exists around the complexities of scholars who identify as survivors and subsequently engage in research about sexual violence and the relationship between their own scholarship and survivor identities. As scholars of color and survivors, who work in higher education, we navigate our own trauma and the trauma of others on a regular basis. This study was a transformative opportunity to explore our own experiences with writing dissertations on campus sexual violence. Employing the concept of masking and unmasking, we engaged in a critical duoethnography to explore the depths of our survivor identity during and after writing our dissertations. Because we use duoethnography, we present transparency and value rather than findings and discussion. Our study fosters understandings regarding the relationship between survivorship and scholarship and how unmasking the dissertation process can be an act of resistance for marginalized doctoral candidates.Keywords: Sexual violencesurvivorduoethnographyunmasking Disclosure statementNo potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).Additional informationNotes on contributorsSarah Socorro HurtadoDr. Sarah Socorro Hurtado (she, her, hers) is an Assistant Professor of Higher Education at the Morgridge College of Education at the University of Denver. Her research agenda focuses on critically addressing interpersonal violence within institutions of higher education. She received her doctorate from Indiana University-Bloomington.Allyson GarciaDr. Allyson Garcia (she, her, hers) received her Doctorate of Education from the University of Denver. She serves as the State Director for the Office of Adult Education Initiatives for the Colorado Department of Education. Previously, Ally was the Assistant Dean/Director of TRIO Student Support Services at Metropolitan State University-Denver.