Ep. 210: Dr. Geniece Crawford Mondé on Conducting Research with Humility and Self-Awareness
Ph.D. in Sociology Harvard University Dr. Geniece Crawford Mondé
Conducting research with vulnerable populations calls for a special kind of humility and self-awareness. Joining us today to share her doctoral journey and provide insight into her dissertation research on formerly incarcerated mothers and their experience of re-entering society and reuniting with their children is Dr. Geniece Crawford Mondé. Dr. Mondé received her Ph.D. in sociology from Harvard University and is now an associate professor of sociology at Wingate University. During the pandemic, she converted her dissertation into a book, This is Our Freedom: Motherhood in the Shadow of the American Prison System, published by UC Press in 2022. In this episode, we learn the requirements for good qualitative interviewing, some tips for saving money in grad school, and how to manage feelings of intimidation. Dr. Mondé opens up about the intention behind seeking a tenure-track job at a small liberal arts college and returning to her dissertation after receiving tenure. Tune in to hear our prestigious guest’s grad school challenges and successes, and her considered advice for current Black women and non-binary doctoral students.
Key Points From This Episode:
• Dr. Geniece Crawford Mondé shares her background and interests outside of her work.
• Insight into her doctoral dissertation research on formerly incarcerated mothers and their experience of re-entering society and reuniting with their children.
• Her process of converting her dissertation into the book, This is Our Freedom.
• What shaped her academic decisions and how she landed on her specialization.
• How she built trust with the formerly incarcerated women she interviewed.
• The humility and self-awareness required for conducting research with vulnerable populations.
• The highs and lows of Dr. Mondé’s grad school experience and how she maintained balance.
• How to manage internal dialogue and feelings of intimidation.
• Dr. Mondé details her post-doc period; what she’s learned and what she’s been doing.
• Why she sought a tenure-track job at a small liberal arts college and why she chose to revisit her dissertation after receiving tenure.
• The benefit of solidarity and accountability in the form of writing partners.
• What Dr. Mondé would have done differently over the course of her doctoral journey.
• Her advice for current Black women and non-binary doctoral students on perspective.
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The Cohort Sistas Podcast brings to life the stories, struggles, and successes of Black women and femmes with doctoral degrees and their lives beyond the degree. If you are a Black woman or non-binary scholar looking for resources, mentorship, and support along your doctoral journey, join the Cohort Sistas community. If you are looking for more information on how to support or partner with Cohort Sistas, please visit our partnerships page. Find us on Twitter and Instagram, and don’t forget to follow The Cohort Sistas Podcast, rate the show, and leave us a quick review.
