How do the Life Histories of Women who have Experience Domestic Violence Impact the ways they Decide on and Engage with Higher Education?

My doctoral inquiry focused on understanding the experiences of mature aged female higher education students who had experienced domestic violence. Guided by the concepts of Bourdieu’s (1977) capital, field, and habitus this feminist narrative inquiry analysed the life histories of nine women from across the Australian state of New South Wales in relation to their resources and engagement within higher education. The findings presented in this paper point to the women’s success through sheer determination and perseverance, the choosing to limit engagement outside of the classroom, and frustrations over a lack of understanding.