"This book is a must read for anyone who thinks they might be suffering from Imposter Syndrome or feels that they don’t belong in Academia. The unique and diverse stories offered here prove that there is no linear path to becoming an academic. Each journey is different and full of twists and turns. The authors share their stories in a heartwarming and readable way that makes them a joy to read." Jean Helms Mills, Saint Mary’s University, Canada"Starting Academia Differently gives voice to those of us who entered the academy by walking the long road rather than the straight path. As an Indigenous scholar, I see in these pages an honest reflection of the colonial barriers that continue to shape who is deemed “hireable” and whose knowledges are deemed “credible.” The collection captures the tension of balancing institutional demands with the equally sacred responsibilities we carry - to family, community, and land. It also reveals how much courage it takes for many of us to step into academic spaces not built for us, and to keep showing up with integrity, heart, and purpose despite the weight of those structures." François Bastien, University of Victoria, Canada"Starting Academia Differently is both an important and enjoyable read. It questions the very notion and normalisation of the ‘ideal academic in the ivory tower’ and the taken-for-granted linearity of academic careers. The book illuminates today’s kaleidoscopic landscape of diversity, individuality and difference which manifests in a more complex — and at the same time richer — professional context of Higher Education. Drawing from critical, feminist and decolonial theories, this volume offers precious insights around some salient themes in contemporary academic careers: identity and belonging, marginalization and resistance, motherhood and care, cultural hybridity, and the reimagining of academic practice. The personal nature of the narratives also allows the reader to appreciate Higher Education as a contested situ of inequality, together with the many challenges academia poses to early career scholars. Starting Academia Differently offers a nuanced understanding of different ways of being an academic and inhabiting this professional context by delivering theory informed chapters which are also creative, evocative and personal, and sharing experiences across continents and socio-cultural backgrounds." Ilaria Boncori, Essex University, UK"Starting Academia Differently is a powerful reminder that scholarly lives rarely unfold in straight lines. Through personal and critical narratives, this collection captures the courage, complexity, and creativity of those who begin their academic journeys outside traditional routes. This book will undoubtedly encourage early career academics to embrace the legitimacy of their own paths and to claim their place in academia on their own terms." Paulina Segarra, Universidad Anáhuac México, México"Maybe business school professors can address grand societal challenges, but first that means rocking the boat. The storytellers here surprised me with how they navigated choppy waters so differently – using their own compasses, tacking in unexpected directions, braving storms, and sometimes landing in different harbors than they imagined. I cannot wait to share this book with my doctoral students as they start their own winding journeys. I know it will inspire them, and the cohorts that follow, to chart their own course – and then tell their stories, knowing they have a community of fellow travelers." Maureen Scully, UMass Boston, USA
