“Kind of Students… Kind of Staff” - Navigating Roles: A Thematic Exploration of PhD Demonstrators’ Experiences, Identity, and Career Implications

Authors

  • Nikki Dean Marshall University of Nottingham, United Kingdom https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3154-6965
  • Tatiana Obretetskaya University of Nottingham, United Kingdom
  • Gemma Fox University of Nottingham, United Kingdom
  • Caitlin Cook University of Nottingham, United Kingdom
  • Catrin McAdams University of Nottingham, United Kingdom
  • Lee Parkin University of Nottingham, United Kingdom

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.53761/57kbhn73

Keywords:

PhD demonstrators, Dual identities, Role ambiguity

Abstract

We examined the experiences of 16 PhD demonstrators from Russell and non-Russell universities, exploring teaching benefits and challenges, dual student-teacher identities, and opinions on the “demonstrator” title. Through interviews and reflexive thematic analysis, four themes were found: 1) ambiguity in the demonstrator label persists despite the GTA alternative, reflecting a disconnect between title and role, 2) the unpredictability, heavy workload, and lack of freedom in the role contribute to stress and diminish enjoyment for demonstrators, 3) feelings of being unsupported due to inadequate preparation, lack of recognition, poor treatment by staff, and the burdens of casualised contracts, 4) positive aspects including the unique demonstrator-student relationship, skill development, mentorship, supportive community, and flexible scheduling that provides a break from PhD work. The study highlights the importance of recognizing the dual identity, finding a label that reflects their responsibilities, addressing stress factors, and enhancing support and recognition for individuals within these roles. 

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Additional Files

Published

2025-06-23

Data Availability Statement

We have two supplementary materials available. Supplementary material 1 is the COREQ. Supplementary material 2, you can find a collated table of the themes, codes, and example data extracts.

Issue

Section

Academic Development

How to Cite

“Kind of Students… Kind of Staff” - Navigating Roles: A Thematic Exploration of PhD Demonstrators’ Experiences, Identity, and Career Implications. (2025). Journal of University Teaching and Learning Practice. https://doi.org/10.53761/57kbhn73