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Sociology
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Acquiring a Sociological Identity

An Observational Study of a PhD Project

Sarah Li

Kingston University and St. George's, University of London, sli{at}hscs.sghms.ac.uk

Clive Seale

Brunel University, Clive.Seale{at}brunel.ac.uk

The acquisition of a sociological identity during the process of PhD supervision is reported, drawing on detailed analysis of selected observations of the supervision sessions, written communications and other aspects of interaction over the period of a single case study supervision which involved the authors as participants. The transition from an `applied' identity (in nursing) to a `pure' or `professional' identity in sociology is documented, identifying the precise interactional mechanisms for encouraging and achieving this transition. These include `bracketing' out of common-sense interpretations of behaviour that draw on the old identity and `distancing' from the normative judgements of professionals inhabiting a dispreferred, non-sociological position. Taking place in a context of enthusiastic, directive and insistent exhortation and presenting a particular and somewhat locally determined version of adequate sociological work, the study shows both supervisor and student collaborating in the social construction of a sociologist.

Key Words: collaboration • PhD supervision • professional socialization • sociological identity • teaching sociology

Sociology, Vol. 42, No. 5, 987-1002 (2008)
DOI: 10.1177/0038038508094575
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