This essay outlines a unique set of challenges that we confronted as a PhD supervisor and candidate, drawing on a research project within a United States Federal Prison. We elicit the challenges that can be faced at different stages before, during, and after fieldwork, and share three lessons for others. First, exploring unique phenomena and processes often requires conducting research in extreme empirical contexts, which while challenging, helps to establish the boundaries within which other archetypes can be studied. Second, educating incarcerated individuals is a challenge and an opportunity, and requires creative approaches that can transcend work, family, and social boundaries. Finally, while it is tempting for supervisors and candidates to embark on PhDs for instrumental purposes, helping to support and develop each other should be the core motivation. We hope that others can learn from our experience and reflect on and share more widely their own experiences and practices.

本文概述了作为博士生导师和候选人，我们利用美国联邦监狱内的一项研究项目所面临的一系列独特挑战。我们提出了田野调查之前，期间和之后不同阶段可能面临的挑战，并为其他人分享了三个教训。首先，探索独特的现象和过程通常需要在极端经验的背景下进行研究，这虽然具有挑战性，但却有助于建立可以研究其他原型的边界。其次，教育被监禁的个人既是挑战也是机遇，并且需要能够超越工作，家庭和社会界限的创新方法。最后，虽然督导人员和候选人出于工具性目的而开始攻读博士学位，帮助彼此支持和发展应该是核心动机。我们希望其他人可以从我们的经验中学到并反思和更广泛地分享自己的经验和做法。