Tuesday, February 27, 2007

Connecting with narrative researchers

I have completed my paper for the AERA conference, and am reasonably pleased with the result. As with much of my written material, a broad group of researchers at the ANU and beyond has been willing to read and offer comments on an initial draft. One of the most interesting aspects of this process is the diversity of feedback—especially in terms of what individual academics perceive as ‘significant’ or ‘problematic’. Clearly, a great deal depends on the epistemological and ontological position of the reviewer. As noted previously, however, the generosity that academics display in terms of time and effort continues to surprise and delight. I value immensely all feedback and any subsequent interaction.

A few days ago I received an email about the AERA Narrative and Research Special Interest Group (SIG). This appears to be on a grand scale, given that there will be a dozen sessions and around 45 refereed papers concerned specifically with narrative inquiry. My paper is part of the ‘higher education’ group, however, examples of other aspects of narrative include ‘methodologies’, ‘teachers’, ‘analysis’, ‘visual narrative’; and ‘cross-cultural contexts’. I have already established contact with Jean Clandinin (SIG Chair and co-author of Narrative Inquiry: Experience and story in qualitative research) and Janice Huber (SIG Program Chair), and am really looking forward to meeting them, along with other group members.

I was alerted today to the fact that the AERA program has been uploaded. I am scheduled to present at 10.35am, Wednesday 11 March 2007 at the Hotel Continental. My paper is entitled Using narrative, interpretation and reflexivity to reconceptualise the doctoral experience.