Beginning the PhD Journey: Integrating Drama and Culturally Responsive Pedagogy in Education

Embarking on a PhD journey has been a complex process filled with moments of discovery, challenge, and growth not to mention the imposter syndrome (shhhhh). When the focus is on arts-based pedagogy within culturally diverse educational settings, the path becomes even more intricate and my passion is even more heightened. Occassionally, my posts will explores and document my experience with pursuing a PhD that has a specific emphasis on drama education and culturally responsive teaching. I am hoping that my post will hig

hlight and document the foundations of an Arts-based-research, list key milestones, and make a note of the challenges I have faced in the process. I hope to highlight the impact of my PhD work on my educational practice.

Building the Foundation

The core of my PhD research lies in combining drama and theatre arts teaching and learning with culturally responsive pedagogy to support learning in international schools. The proposal outlines a research framework that uses qualitative and mixed methods to examine how arts-based strategies can improve student engagement and support in delivering a culturally responsive curriculum.

The research draws from practical experience as an educator and curriculum developer in international schools in Africa, Middle East, Asia. The goal is to create a research design that not only investigates theory but also applies arts-based action research methods to explore the extent to which drama lends itself to culturally responsive teaching and learning.

Key elements of the proposal include:

• Exploring drama as a tool for cultural expression and identity affirmation.

• Designing instruction that promote inclusivity and student voice.

• Using mixed methods to capture both qualitative insights and measurable outcomes in the arts.

• Focusing on decolonizing the drama curriculum.

  
  

This foundation sets the stage for a research journey that connects classroom realities with academic inquiry, theory and practice.

Reaching Important Milestones

Progress in this PhD journey so far, has involved significant shifts and achievements. Moving from back and forth between the role of the educator, focusing on drama instruction to one where I am exploring research initiatives has been a major transition. Designing and facilitating learning on inclusive pedagogy has helped bridge theory and practice.

Balancing academic work with personal well-being has been essential. Maintaining a fitness routine has supported mental clarity and stamina. This balance has been crucial while managing professional responsibilities alongside PhD candidacy.

Another milestone has been the integration of artificial intelligence tools to support my planning and scholarly writing. Using AI has aligned well with the proposal’s emphasis on innovative methods, helping to streamline research tasks and enhance creativity in curriculum design.

These milestones reflect my steady progress and adaptability.

Overcoming Challenges Along the Way

Articulating the core concept of arts-based pedagogy within culturally diverse classrooms has proven to be the most demanding challenge. Capturing the nuances of drama as a medium for cultural responsiveness required multiple revisions and deep reflection. Feedback from supervisors played a vital role in refining the research questions and hypotheses.

Ethical considerations also posed difficulties. Conducting drama research in culturally sensitive environments demands careful attention to respect, consent, and representation. Adjusting research methods to meet these ethical standards strengthened the study’s integrity.

A common PhD hurdle such as time management surfaced regularly. I am hoping that establishing daily writing habits will help maintain momentum despite these obstacles. This consistent effort ensured steady progress even during demanding periods.

Seeing the Impact So Far

The initial stages of my PhD journey have already influenced my teaching practice in meaningful ways. This process has informed my plans for future publications as I aim to connect academic findings with classroom realities. This work highlights the potential of arts-based thinking to enrich global education by supporting diverse learners and promoting inclusive leadership.

My ongoing PhD journey illustrates how combining drama and culturally responsive pedagogy can create powerful educational experiences.