Being and Becoming a Researcher in the Tourism, Travel and Hospitality Field: An Expanding Consciousness Perspective

Despite the emphasis placed on disciplinary knowledge, adaptability and research skills as pillars of academic rigor, the process of researcher development-particularly the transition from merely acquiring knowledge to embodying the role of a researcher-has been largely overlooked, contributing to high attrition rates among PhD students and early career researchers. Possessing subject expertise and technical skills, while necessary, does not guarantee the intellectual, emotional and existential growth required to navigate the complexities of academic life. The process of becoming a researcher is not solely a matter of accumulating credentials but involves a deeper transformation-one that prioritizes personal development and the expansion of consciousness. The concept of 'freedom of consciousness and its expansion' is crucial in understanding this transition from being a researcher in essence to becoming a researcher in existence. Theories of self-development underscore the role of consciousness in shaping cognitive functions, self-perception and the structuring of thought, making its expansion essential for fostering intellectual autonomy, creativity and resilience. Consciousness governs not only a researcher's cognitive capacities but also their attitudes, emotions and behaviours, influencing their ability to engage critically with knowledge, persist through challenges and contribute meaningfully to scholarly discourse. This book explores both the theoretical and practical dimensions of researcher development, offering a comprehensive framework that examines the transitions researchers undergo within both their internal and external environments. It introduces the macro-, mezzo- and micro-information spheres of researcher development, illustrating how individuals confront challenges, navigate conflicts, engage with contradictions and ultimately transform themselves through an evolving process of intellectual and personal growth. By integrating these dimensions, this book highlights the necessity of moving beyond mechanistic models of researcher training toward a more holistic approach that acknowledges the role of consciousness expansion in sustaining meaningful academic engagement.