The Hero’s Journey and the Path of the Researcher: An Intellectual Adventure

As many of you know, I like to think that within social institutions, and especially in the educational sphere, there are rituals, myths, and fetishes that shape our practices—often without us being fully aware of them. These elements not only organize what we do, but also how we feel and narrate our experiences. One of the most deeply rooted—and widely recognized—myths is that of the Hero’s Journey.

This myth, popularized by mythologist Joseph Campbell in his book The Hero with a Thousand Faces, appears in countless stories: from Harry Potter to The Lord of the Rings, from The Matrix to Moana. In all of these narratives, an ordinary character is called to leave their familiar world, face challenges, undergo transformation, and return with knowledge to share with their community.

And if we think about it, that’s exactly what a researcher does.

Although we often think of research as a technical or academic process, it also has a narrative structure. The researcher doesn’t just collect data—they live a process. They follow steps like identifying a question, facing methodological obstacles, reinterpreting results, and ultimately sharing their findings. It’s a journey full of doubts, discoveries, and personal transformation.

In what follows, we’ll explore the three major stages of the Hero’s Journey—Departure, Initiation, and Return—and its twelve steps, applying them to the path of the researcher, with real-life and cinematic examples.

I. DEPARTURE

1. Ordinary World

This stage represents the hero’s everyday life before the adventure begins. It’s a familiar, comfortable, but limited environment. In Harry Potter, for example, Harry lives with the Dursleys, unaware of the magical world. In The Lion King, Simba plays carefree in the savannah, unaware of his destiny. In The Matrix, Neo lives a routine life as a programmer, though he senses something is off.

In the world of research, this is the moment when the future researcher has not yet formulated a question. Tomás, an environmental engineering student, attends classes and completes assignments but feels his learning is superficial. María, an administrative assistant, dreams of improving her economic situation and knows she needs a master’s degree, but she’s unsure what to research. Javier, a rural doctor, notices that many patients abandon their treatments, though he hasn’t yet formed a hypothesis. Clara, a graphic designer, wonders whether inclusive design truly improves the experience for users with visual impairments, but hasn’t explored the topic yet.

2. Call to Adventure

This is the moment when something sparks the hero’s curiosity and pushes them out of their comfort zone. In Moana, the ocean literally calls her to restore the heart of Te Fiti. In Star Wars, Luke Skywalker receives a distress message from Princess Leia. In The Hobbit, Bilbo is invited on an adventure by Gandalf.

In research, this call might be an observation, a personal experience, or a conversation that sparks a question. Tomás notices the river near his university has an unusual color and wonders if it’s polluted. María hears her colleagues discussing the wage gap between men and women with graduate degrees and wonders if the same applies in her field. Javier treats a patient who stopped taking her medication because she didn’t understand the instructions, prompting him to ask how health literacy affects treatment adherence. Clara receives an email from a visually impaired user who can’t navigate one of her websites, making her question the accessibility of her work.

3. Refusal of the Call

The hero hesitates. They feel fear, insecurity, or believe they’re not ready. In Spider-Man, Peter Parker doubts whether he should take on responsibility. In Frozen, Elsa flees Arendelle out of fear of harming others. In The Lion King, Simba goes into exile after his father’s death.

In research, this stage manifests as self-doubt. Tomás worries he lacks the technical skills to analyze water samples. María fears her topic won’t be taken seriously in academic circles. Javier wonders if he can find time to research while working full-time. Clara doubts whether her focus on accessibility will be valued in a marketing-driven design environment.

4. Meeting the Mentor

The mentor is a figure who guides the hero, provides tools, and encourages them to move forward. In Star Wars, Obi-Wan Kenobi mentors Luke. In The Matrix, Morpheus shows Neo the truth. In Kung Fu Panda, Master Shifu trains Po.

For the researcher, the mentor might be a professor, advisor, or experienced colleague. Tomás speaks with his environmental chemistry professor, who encourages him to start with a basic analysis and offers technical support. María consults a sociology professor who suggests reviewing gender studies literature and recommends reliable sources. Javier finds support in a nurse researcher who helps him design a qualitative study. Clara receives guidance from a UX professor who shares accessibility tools and helps her shape a viable methodology.

5. Crossing the First Threshold

Here, the hero steps into the unknown. In The Lord of the Rings, Frodo leaves the Shire. In Moana, she sails into the open ocean. In Doctor Strange, Stephen enters the world of magic.

For the researcher, this is when the project becomes real: the problem is defined, the methodology is designed, and data collection begins. Tomás creates a sampling plan, obtains permits, and starts collecting river samples. María builds her theoretical framework and designs a survey for professionals with graduate degrees. Javier drafts interview guides for patients and healthcare workers. Clara selects websites to audit, defines accessibility criteria, and begins gathering user data.

II. INITIATION

6. Tests, Allies, and Enemies

In this stage, the hero faces challenges that test their commitment, but also encounters allies and obstacles. In Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, Harry, Ron, and Hermione must overcome a series of magical trials to reach the stone. In The Hunger Games, Katniss must survive in a hostile environment where not everyone is an enemy—some become allies. In Shrek, the ogre faces dragons, soldiers, and prejudice, but also finds support in Donkey and Fiona.

For the researcher, this stage translates into methodological difficulties, logistical problems, and internal doubts—but also unexpected support and key learning moments. Tomás discovers that one of his river sampling sites is inaccessible due to heavy rain, and one of the reagents he needs is out of stock. Just when he thinks he’ll have to suspend his work, a classmate lends him a portable testing kit, and his professor secures the reagent from another campus. María launches her survey but receives very few responses. She feels frustrated until an alumni network helps her distribute it more widely, doubling her sample size. Javier struggles with transcribing long and complex interviews, but a nursing student offers to help in exchange for research experience. Clara realizes that many accessibility evaluation tools are only available in technical English. She joins an online community that translates and shares resources, allowing her to move forward with more confidence.

7. Approach to the Inmost Cave

Here, the hero approaches the core of the problem. It’s a moment of introspection and preparation for the greatest challenge. In The Empire Strikes Back, Luke enters the cave on Dagobah and faces a vision of Darth Vader that confronts him with his deepest fear. In Moana, she doubts whether she is truly the chosen one and nearly gives up. In The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, Frodo begins to feel the burden of the ring and grows suspicious of Sam.

In research, this moment occurs when the analysis becomes more complex, the questions deepen, and the researcher faces the possibility that their hypothesis may not hold. Tomás begins to suspect that his initial hypothesis—that the pollution came from a nearby factory—might be wrong. The data doesn’t support it, forcing him to rethink his approach. María analyzes her survey results and finds no clear wage gap. She feels confused but decides to segment the data by sector and experience level, which opens new possibilities. Javier realizes that the interview testimonies reveal more than he expected: there are deep cultural barriers in the doctor-patient relationship that he hadn’t considered. Clara discovers that several of the websites she designed in the past fail to meet basic accessibility standards. This realization forces her to confront her own professional practice.

8. The Ordeal

This is the most critical moment of the journey. The hero faces their greatest fear—the ultimate test. In The Matrix Revolutions, Neo sacrifices himself to save humanity. In Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Harry willingly surrenders to Voldemort. In Toy Story 3, the toys face the possibility of being destroyed in the incinerator.

In research, this is the point where everything seems to fall apart: the data doesn’t align, the results are ambiguous, or the purpose of the work is called into question. Tomás is frustrated to see that his results show no significant levels of contamination. He wonders if all his effort has been in vain. María feels lost—her data is inconclusive, and she fears her research has no value. Javier is overwhelmed by the volume of qualitative information and doesn’t know how to organize it. Clara feels guilty for having overlooked accessibility in her previous designs and questions whether her work has been ethically responsible.

9. The Reward

After the ordeal comes the discovery. The hero overcomes the trial and receives a reward—an object, knowledge, or transformation. In Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, the hero finds the Holy Grail. In Finding Nemo, Marlin is reunited with his son, but also learns to trust. In Frozen II, Elsa discovers the truth about her origins and her family’s past.

In research, this is the moment when a meaningful conclusion is reached, something new is discovered, or the initial question is answered. Tomás discovers that the pollution doesn’t come from the factory, but from poorly managed household waste in a residential area. It’s an unexpected but highly relevant finding. María identifies that the wage gap does exist, but only in specific sectors like tech and finance, allowing her to refine her analysis. Javier finds patterns in the interviews that reveal how lack of trust and poor communication affect treatment adherence. Clara demonstrates that accessible websites not only benefit people with disabilities but improve the experience for all users—giving her a solid foundation to propose changes in her company.

III. RETURN

10. The Road Back

After obtaining the reward, the hero must return to their original world. Sometimes this return is voluntary, other times it is forced. In The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, Frodo returns to the Shire, but he is no longer the same. In The Matrix Revolutions, Neo returns with a new understanding of the balance between humans and machines. In Moana, she returns to her island with the knowledge needed to restore the connection with the ocean.

In research, this stage is when the researcher begins to close the project: organizing findings, writing the final report, and preparing for a defense or presentation. Tomás writes his thesis and presents his findings at an environmental conference, where the questions he receives push him to reflect even more deeply on the impact of his work. María completes her final paper and presents it to her master’s committee, feeling she has achieved something she once thought unreachable. Javier structures his article for a public health journal, and in doing so, realizes that his clinical experience has gained a new dimension. Clara creates a best practices guide for digital accessibility at her agency and begins sharing it with her colleagues.

11. Resurrection

This is a symbolic moment: the hero is reborn, transformed. They have overcome their greatest trial and now possess a new identity. In Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Harry faces Voldemort one last time, having accepted his destiny. In Frozen II, Elsa reconciles with her identity and becomes the guardian of the enchanted forest. In Kung Fu Panda 3, Po becomes a master and mentor to others.

For the researcher, this transformation is reflected in a new way of thinking, greater confidence, and a stronger identity as a knowledge creator. Tomás no longer sees the river the same way—he now understands it, values it, and wants to protect it. María feels empowered and is considering pursuing a PhD, something that once seemed out of reach. Javier becomes a local reference in health literacy, and his colleagues consult him to improve patient communication. Clara leads an accessibility team at her company and begins to see design as a tool for social inclusion.

12. Return with the Elixir

Finally, the hero returns to their original world with an “elixir”: a piece of knowledge, a skill, or a transformation that can be shared with others. In Frozen, Elsa returns to Arendelle with full control of her powers. In The Lion King, Simba returns to the Pride Lands to restore balance. In Doctor Strange, Stephen returns to the real world with the ability to manipulate time and protect reality.

In research, this “elixir” is the knowledge generated, which is shared to transform the community, inspire others, or open new questions. Tomás collaborates with an NGO to implement an environmental education program in schools. María publishes her research and is invited to speak at a forum on workplace equity. Javier organizes workshops for healthcare professionals on effective communication. Clara launches a blog on inclusive design and begins giving talks at universities, encouraging other designers to think about accessibility from the start.

Final Reflection

Every researcher, like every hero, ventures into the unknown, faces challenges, is transformed, and returns with something valuable to share. Whether you come from the sciences, humanities, health, or the arts—if you are doing research, you are walking your own epic path.

But there’s something important to keep in mind: the research journey is not paved with roses. It’s not a smooth or always well-lit path. While it doesn’t have to be hostile, it is certainly demanding, complex, and often uncomfortable. There will be moments of doubt, frustration, and insecurity. There will be data that doesn’t fit, hypotheses that don’t hold, and days when nothing seems to move forward.

And yet, knowing this in advance is a great advantage. Because when we understand that difficulty is part of the process—not a mistake, but a natural stage of the journey—we can move forward with more clarity, more patience, and more compassion for ourselves. Research doesn’t just transform knowledge: it transforms us.

So if you’re in the middle of your project, just starting out, or thinking about diving into research, remember: you’re not alone. You’re walking a path that many have walked before—and one that you, too, can complete. With every step, you move closer not only to an answer, but to a stronger, more critical, and more creative version of yourself.

And you—where are you on the journey?