ABSTRACT
How can a junior scholar reconcile producing interesting research and finding only a narrow academic field interesting? Pursuing a PhD means specialising in a topic. However, many alluring possibilities and new angles become evident once researchers explore the world. In this auto-ethnographic chapter, the author explores his experiences as a PhD researcher in management. From the criticism he received for being “all-over-the-place” in his interests and theoretical approaches, he realised that creating a façade that concisely summarizes his research to others could be a way forward. This allowed him to pursue different paths in the background. In a critical evaluation of his behaviour, the author concludes that change and normalisation of trying different approaches and theories do not come from what he did, but from what academics can do in the future. Being “all over the place” is good; it shows academics’ passion, complexities, and diversity.
