Research can be a very isolating experience for Ph.D. students. We created a forum for discussion among Ph.D. students to discuss the doctoral experience and generate ideas surrounding collaboration and dialogue using open space methodology. This paper explores isolation as an element of the social and community aspect of learning in a Ph.D. program. The onset of COVID-19 broadened the scope of our exploration and necessitated new adaptations for discussion and interaction. [For the complete volume, "American Association for Adult and Continuing Education Inaugural 2020 Conference Proceedings (Online, October 27-30, 2020)," see ED611534.]