Mapping the 'becoming-integrated-academic': an autoethnographic case study of professional becoming in the biosciences

This paper uses an autoethnographic case study to analyse the difficulties inherent in the professional journey from bioscience researcher to research-informed, reflective bioscience teacher. This is viewed through a philosophy of becoming. The major demand placed upon the academic to achieve this transition is seen as the conscious adoption of a perspective that embraces epistemological pluralism - also described as post-abyssal thinking. This recognises the value of alternative epistemological views and the way they can contribute to professional development. An explicit recognition of this challenge may provide a tool to support bioscience researchers to become integrated academics and relieve some of the tensions that exist, for example between teaching and research.