Academic Identity Development of Asian International Doctoral Students at a Public University – A Reflexive Thematic Analysis

Aim/Purpose: This study explores the development of academic identity among a group Asian international doctoral students at U.S. research university in various settings, including interacting with and faculty members reflecting on their personal journeys. Background: In 2020-2021, 132, 000 enrolled universities – an increase 71% since 2000. Despite this, relatively little is known about how acculturative stress affects growth. Methodology: A conceptual framework was constructed to integrate concepts development. With premise that comprises three strands intellectual, network, institutional, current conceptualizes intersection all explore tensions balancing home-host culture values while grow into new identity. Reflexive thematic analysis applied narratives eight identified four main themes characterizing participants’ under stress. Contribution: contributes understudied area higher education literature, directing attention community small but growing junior academics. When examined confluence stress, conceptualization extended include academics from cultural minorities. Findings: Acculturative intersects development, inhibiting progress programs. also makes participants more hesitant adopt Recommendations for Practitioners: paper informs leaders managers departmental levels inclusiveness training Cultural minority face challenge issue distinguishes them racial or gender groups; therefore, simply replicating race inclusion initiatives unlikely be ideal model culturally inclusive program. Recommendation Researchers: The findings this indicate deviate commonly accepted view they do not define intellectual growth strictly terms paper-trailed achievements (e.g., number publications grants), jobs within outside academia as equally attractive. Impact Society: Doctoral programs are suppliers doctoral-level workers industry. However, some programs, especially social sciences humanities, focus job placements. To broaden impact society, educational need expand professional elements such prepare candidates opportunities academia. Future Research: Other aspects could explored, instructor changes student