How Saudi women researchers perceive their role at Princess Nora Bint Abdul Rahman University

Abstract

This study discusses the way in which Saudi academic women perceive their role as academic researchers at Princess Nora Bint Abdul Rahman University in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. My aim is to illustrate and explain the role of women academics who live in a conservative religious culture in Saudi Arabia, and how they fulfil their research obligations. Moreover, I aim to clarify and understand the challenges they face throughout their academic journeys. I have used the method of narrative inquiry in order to understand the perceptions of and career complexities faced by the participants in this study. This thesis discusses the improvement of education in Saudi Arabia and how women in the country have gained rights in terms of education. This study is built on discovering the effects of the conservative religious identity of a Saudi academic woman and how she copes with the various challenges that she faces throughout her academic journey to become a researcher. The four academic researchers involved in this study incorporate their identities and beliefs into their daily tasks. Three themes emerged from the findings and the interpretation of the data, which served as a guide to answering the research questions. These three themes are:  Family and cultural role: a fine line between support and control  Challenges through the academic journey  The Saudi identity I conclude the study by discussing the major finding that these Saudi academic women’s conservative religious identities have shaped them not only as women of faith, but also as academic researchers.