Paying it forward: Academic intergenerational support through the Scholarly Gathering Circle

Le résumé fourni par la source

Introduction: Traditional mentorship in higher education often assumes hierarchical relationships in professional development. While this model has its place, as scholars, we sought to co-create a more relational, reciprocal space where the whole person: mind-body-spirit, could belong and flourish. In response to these holistic learning principles, our Scholarly Gathering Circle (the Circle) was created as a mutually encouraging community that fosters the continuity of knowledge and experience across generations in a safe space. Methods: The Circle consists of a mentor, a retired professor, and four of her former graduate students. Every season, we co-create a space rooted in mutual trust, respect and care. We meet on Saturday afternoons for three hours to, using holistic learning principles, share stories of our academic, professional and personal achievements and challenges. In this article, we share and analyze, using the Narrative Inquiry framework, reflections of our experiences within the Circle. Results: Five narrative patterns emerge within our reflections of shared experiences: holistic wellbeing, organic co-construction of knowledge, relationality and belonging in academic spaces, intergenerational learning and knowledge continuity, and reimagining of higher education. Much like Dewey argued, learning is deeply rooted in human connections that foster the continuity of education in a particular setting. Conclusion: Our experience suggests that relational, community-based mentorship, like our Scholarly Gathering Circle, can serve as a powerful contrast to the often-isolating structures of traditional higher education. By centering humanity, care, and reciprocity, without diminishing academic rigour, we can sustain and empower scholars in ways that established models may not. This reflective account outlines how others may create their own scholarly gathering circles within higher education, unrestricted by physical, academic, or geographical space.

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