For a number of years before I retired from the University of Waikato, I assisted with the supervision of Gemma Piercy-Cameron’s PhD thesis. Gemma was finally successful in completing her grand project, Baristas: The Artisan Precariat, a few months ago. Currently, Gemma is a Lecturer in Sociology and Social Policy at the University of Waikato (see her Staff Profile). I presented her with nine milestones to mark her accomplishment.
The following letter accompanied Gemma’s milestones (photos added here):
Why Nine Stones?
Nine is seen to have philosophical significance, due to its unique numerical attributes. In the Hebrew tradition, for instance, Nine represents truth, since it reproduces itself when multiplied. Multiply any number by 9, then add the resulting digits and reduce them to a single digit, it always becomes a 9 again, e.g., 6 x 9 = 54, 5 + 4 = 9; 23 x 9 = 207, 2 + 0 + 7 = 9. Another attribute of Nine is that when added to any other number and then that number is reduced to a single digit, it always comes back to itself, as if nothing was added at all. For example, 5 + 9 = 14, 1 + 4 = 5; 7 + 9 = 16, 1 + 6 = 7. Nine is the Triple Triad, consisting of three times three, and so is seen as symbolic of completion, fulfillment, attainment, the beginning and the end, the ultimate whole number. Appropriate to recognise the completion of a PhD!
Stone #1 “Coffee”
Unknown type, collected at Riverton (Southland) July 2017, polishing completed September 2017. Polishing brought out the creamy swirl that reminded me so strongly of coffee and latte art that I knew it was destined for you.
Stone #2 “Positioned Sparkle”
Mica-rich pegmatite rock, collected at Joyce Bay (near Charleston, Buller District) March 2017, unpolished. Your thesis reflects who you are, and sparkles as it is turned to be viewed from different positions. Different things will be seen in it depending on who views it from which position.
Stone #3 “Effort”
Mudstone, collected at Riverton July 2017, polishing completed September 2017. This stone started millions of years ago as a number of sediment layers, being compressed by weight and heat. Your thesis consists of layers of effort and activity, building on each other, one layer being the foundation for the other. Over time, effort becomes more focused, refined, productive, until completion is reached.
Stone #4 “Complexity”
Jasper, with silica, collected at Riverton February 2018, polishing completed August 2018. Reality is complex and resists analysis. Analysis is hard labour.
Stone #5 “Depth”
Pale green Quartzite, collected at Orepuki (Southland), April 2016, polishing completed November 2017. Depth of understanding and insight is gained by multi-method qualitative research.
Stone #6 “Found Worthy”
Banded Agate, collected on Birdlings Flat (Canterbury) June 2016, polishing completed September 2016. Agate is formed from quartz crystals growing in layers so small they can barely be seen. The layers build up to fill cavities in sediments left by gas bubbles in volcanic rocks. This particular banded agate is very unusual (the only one of its kind I have found) – when held up to the light, it is apparent that the bands are not smooth but have intricate and delicate lace-like waves in them. This stone will have originated in the Alps, been washed down a Canterbury river, and swept along the coast to be deposited on Birdlings Flat which abuts Banks Peninsula. Your thesis has survived close examination in the light of others’ assessments, and has been found to be worthy of scholarly esteem.
Stone #7 “Patterns”
Unknown type (possibly a type of schist?), collected at Riverton February 2018, polishing completed August 2018. Research identifies patterns and layers and makes sense of them for others.
Stone #8 “It takes time to construct an interesting story”
Argillite, a hardened mudstone, with fossil worm casts, collected at Orepuki February 2018, polishing completed August 2018. This argillite started as mud under the sea 250-280 million years ago. The interesting linear features were left behind by ancient worms who had ingested lighter coloured mud. All pieces of scholarly writing, including your thesis, are like fossils of your thoughts at a particular period of time, persisting in existence even as you go on to other thoughts and activities.
Stone #9 “Well Travelled and Wide Ranging”
Quartzite, stained with iron, collected at Budleigh Salterton (Devon, England) May 2018, polishing completed August 2018. These Devon stones are identical to rocks found in Brittany in France. Some 200-250 million years ago, Brittany was mountainous and rivers drained from it northwards across the Triassic desert, across what was to become the English Channel. The quartzite rocks were tumbled into pebbles and eventually deposited as pebble beds outcropping on cliffs at the beach of Budleigh Salterton village. Good PhD research takes time, has gone places, and has a broad base of experience and reflective thought.
