Book excerpt: This book offers reflections from Arts-Based Educational Research (ABER) scholars who, since 2005, were awarded the American Educational Research Association ABER Special Interest Group's Outstanding Dissertation Award. The book includes essays from ten awardees who, across diverse artistic disciplines, share how their ABER careers evolve and succeed—inspiring insights into the possibilities of ABER. It also examines the essential role of mentorship in the academy that supports and expands ABER scholarship. Drawing from dissertation exemplars in the field, this book allows readers to look at how ABER scholars learn with the world while creatively researching and teaching in innovative ways