# The Hero's Quest: An Academic Exploration Mass media often leverage the narrative structure known as the "Hero's Quest" or "Hero's Journey." This structure, rooted in mythological studies, primarily comes from Joseph Campbell's seminal work (1949). Campbell's monomyth theory posits that many myths from different cultures share a fundamental structure. > *A hero ventures forth from the world of common day into a region of supernatural wonder: fabulous forces are there encountered and a decisive victory is won: the hero comes back from this mysterious adventure with the power to bestow boons on his fellow man.* (Campbell, 1949, p.28, The Hero and the God; see: [[Structure of the Quest]]) # PhD Journey The Hero's Quest has also been used metaphorically to describe the journey of PhD students. The latter are embarking on their quest for knowledge, often inspired by a 'call to adventure'—a research question or a field of study they are passionate about. The path of a PhD student is often strewn with research challenges and academic obstacles; fortunately, the PhD advisor serves a role similar to the "helper" or "mentor" figures described by Campbell (1949), offering essential guidance and support through these trials. The Hero's Quest capture the transformative nature of pursuing a PhD. It's not just an intellectual challenge, but also a personal and sometimes even a spiritual quest, involving significant growth, change, and ultimately, a redefinition of the individual's identity and place in the academic and larger community. This blog intent to offer a comprehensive guide for PhD students embarking on their academic journey. > [!recite|background-color-red no-i no-t txt-c] > **Are you a student searching for resources for your master thesis or PhD?** > #### Click on the tree below to enter this digital garden > [![[logotree.svg]]](<PhD Journey>) *** # Bright & Dark sides of the Hero Quest The Hero's Quest is not just a narrative tool but a bridge between ancient mythological structures and modern interactive storytelling. Its use in role-playing games (RPGs) like D&D highlights the enduring appeal of the hero's journey narrative and its relevance in various cultural and temporal contexts. By engaging in these narratives, players partake in a tradition of myth-making that stretches back centuries, gaining both entertainment and insight through their participation. In management research, it has been applied in: - Personalized and gamified information security awareness initiatives, - leadership development, as a metaphor for the journey of a leader embarking on a new role, - organizational change, a "call to adventure" as a need for change (toward the implementation and eventual normalization of these changes, "The Return"), - innovation and entrepreneurship, with trials and error toward goals achievement, etc. However, this use frequently oversimplify complexities, glorify past decisions through this narrative structure. This blog aims to delve into the intricate parallels between the Hero's Quest and its contemporary uses, spanning from gaming dynamics, **Security Education and Training Awareness** (SETA) to legitimacy theories. Additionally, it seeks to examine the lesser-discussed aspects of this narrative framework, including its dark sides and misuses. > [!recite|background-color-red no-i no-t txt-c] > **Interested in the boundaries of information security research and game-based learning?** > #### Click on the eye below to enter this game > [![[logo.svg]]](https://hero.quest/)