In Liminal Spaces: Doctoral Agency in International Cotutelle Programs

Mark Andrew Elepano; Que Anh Dang; Esra Kaytaz; Søren Smedegaard  Bengtsen

doi:10.1108/SGPE-11-2025-0181

In Liminal Spaces: Doctoral Agency in International Cotutelle Programs

Mark Andrew Elepano
, Que Anh Dang
, Esra Kaytaz
, Søren Smedegaard Bengtsen

Aarhus University

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

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Abstract

Purpose
This paper examines how doctoral researchers develop and exercise agency within cotutelle programs. Drawing on Social Realism, the study conceptualises agency as reflexive engagement with structural conditions and explores how cotutelle participation activates different reflexive modes across time, institutions, and disciplinary contexts.

Design/methodology/approach
The study adopts a narrative approach informed by Archer’s theory of reflexivity. Twenty-five doctoral researchers enrolled in cotutelle programs between a UK university and partner institutions in Australia and South Africa participated in semi-structured interviews and visual journey plots. Data were analysed through close readings and thematic synthesis to identify patterns of reflexive engagement. Narrative vignettes were constructed to preserve participant voice and illustrate the findings in depth.

Findings
First, cotutelle programs create conditions of liminality that prompt doctoral researchers to enact different modes of reflexivity as they navigate shifting institutional, disciplinary, and personal contexts. Second, the limits of doctoral agency become most apparent when institutional systems are misaligned or when supervisory relationships break down. Third, face-to-face interactions play
a crucial role in sustaining the personal, relational, and epistemic dimensions of supervision.

Originality/value
This paper contributes to the theorisation of doctoral agency by linking reflexive modes to the various domains of doctoral learning within cotutelle programs. It challenges the assumption of the fully independent doctoral researcher by foregrounding the relational labour involved in navigating transnational supervision and institutional complexity. The findings offer practical implications for the design and governance of international collaborative doctoral programs.

Keywords: Cotutelle programs, Doctoral agency, Doctoral education, Doctoral experience, Doctoral student learning, Reflexivity

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	(In-Press)
Number of pages	15
Journal	Studies in Graduate and Postdoctoral Education
Volume	(In-Press)
Early online date	8 Apr 2026
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1108/SGPE-11-2025-0181
Publication status	E-pub ahead of print - 8 Apr 2026

Keywords

Cotutelle programs
Doctoral agency
Doctoral education
Doctoral experience
Doctoral student learning
Reflexivity

Access to Document

10.1108/SGPE-11-2025-0181

Accepted version- In Liminal Spaces: Doctoral Agency in International Cotutelle ProgramsAccepted author manuscript, 201 KBLicence: CC BY-NC

Cite this

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title = "In Liminal Spaces: Doctoral Agency in International Cotutelle Programs",

abstract = " Purpose This paper examines how doctoral researchers develop and exercise agency within cotutelle programs. Drawing on Social Realism, the study conceptualises agency as reflexive engagement with structural conditions and explores how cotutelle participation activates different reflexive modes across time, institutions, and disciplinary contexts. Design/methodology/approach The study adopts a narrative approach informed by Archer{\textquoteright}s theory of reflexivity. Twenty-five doctoral researchers enrolled in cotutelle programs between a UK university and partner institutions in Australia and South Africa participated in semi-structured interviews and visual journey plots. Data were analysed through close readings and thematic synthesis to identify patterns of reflexive engagement. Narrative vignettes were constructed to preserve participant voice and illustrate the findings in depth. Findings First, cotutelle programs create conditions of liminality that prompt doctoral researchers to enact different modes of reflexivity as they navigate shifting institutional, disciplinary, and personal contexts. Second, the limits of doctoral agency become most apparent when institutional systems are misaligned or when supervisory relationships break down. Third, face-to-face interactions play a crucial role in sustaining the personal, relational, and epistemic dimensions of supervision. Originality/value This paper contributes to the theorisation of doctoral agency by linking reflexive modes to the various domains of doctoral learning within cotutelle programs. It challenges the assumption of the fully independent doctoral researcher by foregrounding the relational labour involved in navigating transnational supervision and institutional complexity. The findings offer practical implications for the design and governance of international collaborative doctoral programs. Keywords: Cotutelle programs, Doctoral agency, Doctoral education, Doctoral experience, Doctoral student learning, Reflexivity ",

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In Liminal Spaces: Doctoral Agency in International Cotutelle Programs

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Keywords

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