University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Expectations and experiences of a scholar at-risk: a case study

Elliot-Meisel, Emily Alice

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/129568

Description

Title
Expectations and experiences of a scholar at-risk: a case study
Author(s)
Elliot-Meisel, Emily Alice
Issue Date
2025-04-24
Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)
Kang, Hyun-Sook
Doctoral Committee Chair(s)
Kang, Hyun-Sook
Committee Member(s)
  • Flores, Osly
  • Herrera, Linda
  • Witt, Allison
Department of Study
Educ Policy, Orgzn & Leadrshp
Discipline
Educ Policy, Orgzn & Leadrshp
Degree Granting Institution
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Degree Name
Ed.D.
Degree Level
Dissertation
Keyword(s)
  • scholar at-risk
  • case study
  • Pierre Bourdieu
Abstract
Academic humanitarianism, the response from the global higher education and humanitarian community to the forced migration of scholars, academics, and public intellectuals, facilitates the temporary relocation of scholars at-risk so that they may continue their academic work in a safe academic setting. There is a dearth of literature that explores this century-old phenomenon. Existing literature focuses on the European context, historical analyses, and the identity negotiation of contemporary displaced scholars. The purpose of this single case study, focused on the educational and career decisions of a scholar at-risk, is to advance the literature on academic humanitarianism within the larger field of international education. The researcher followed a scholar at-risk, undertaking a temporary fellowship at a university in the United States, over the course of several months in order to understand his experiences, motivations, and what resources shape his decisions. The researcher employed Pierre Bourdieu’s (1986) theory of capital (social, economic, and cultural) to answer these research questions. The researcher employed semi structured interviews with the main participant, observations, and document analysis to answer these research questions. Findings illustrated how this scholar at risk’s cultural capital in his home country was devalued, which prompted his need to leave but that this accumulated capital facilitated his safe departure at the same time. On fellowship, he deploys social capital to be a resource for his colleagues who remain in his home country, and accumulates social capital, which converts directly to economic capital. His decision-making on fellowship is rooted in the pursuit of post-fellowship stability. Discussed in this study are the limitations of a single case study research design and implications of these findings on how international educators can adapt support for this population and to understand where future research can be directed.
Graduation Semester
2025-05
Type of Resource
Thesis
Handle URL
https://hdl.handle.net/2142/129568
Copyright and License Information
Copyright 2025 Emily Elliot-Meisel

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