In this volume fourteen fellows of the International Academy of Education, whose research work is known internationally, reflect upon the ways in which their careers have been shaped by early family influences, by random events and surprise opportunities, and by nascent intellectual interests and academic mentoring. The authors come from many different countries (Australia, Belgium, Cyprus, Germany, Greece, Israel, Mexico, South Africa, and the USA), and from a number of disciplinary or intellectual orientations including curriculum development, economics, educational measurement and statistical analysis, history, philosophy, policy analysis, program evaluation, psychology, and sociology. They come from diverse social and cultural backgrounds; and in many cases rose above the travails presented by wars, social unrest, and social injustice to attain an education that launched them eventually into a research career. On this path, many were unexpectedly assisted by established researchers who served as mentors or "enablers." Their personal stories, then, are of broad interest – and may even be a source of comfort and inspiration to younger colleagues who are commencing their careers in the international educational research community.