Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial 3.0 LicenseSanders, KateMarriott-Statham, KellyMackay, MariaMcMillan, AilsaRennie, KarenRobinson, Betty AnnTeeling, Sean Paul2020-09-292020-09-292020-05-13Sanders, K., Marriott-Statham, K., Mackay, M., McMillan, A., Rennie, K., Robinson, B. A. & Teeling, S. P. (2020) The Student International Community of Practice: A critical reflection on the shared experience of being a member, using creative hermeneutics. International Practice Development Journal, 10(1):11.2046-9292https://doi.org/10.19043/ipdj.101.011https://eresearch.qmu.ac.uk/handle/20.500.12289/10700Background: The Student International Community of Practice is a global network of more than 30 doctoral candidates affiliated with the Centre for Person-centred Practice Research, at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh. An ongoing challenge the community faces is its changing and growing membership; as members progress and complete their doctoral studies they leave the group, and as the centre grows new community members (doctoral candidates) join.Aim: To explore and describe the experience of being a member of the Student International Community of Practice, using a creative process of reflection and collaborative analysis, and to identify the implications for the future of the community and the integration of new members.Conclusion: The Student International Community of Practice is a valuable social learning experience for those who are members. It will continue to be a flourishing safe space if, despite its changing membership, we pay explicit attention to our agreed purpose, ways of working and values.Implications for practice/academic research: Belonging to a sustainable and flourishing community of practice enhances learning, and decreases isolation and loneliness on the doctoral journey A community of practice is sustainable when it is underpinned by a clear purpose, agreed ways of working and values, to which all members consistently pay explicit attentionen© The Authors 2020http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/Community Of PracticeSafe SpacePerson-centrednessDoctoral StudiesCreativityCreative Hermeneutic AnalysisArticle