Transformative Autoethnography for Practitioners

Change Processes and Practices for Individuals and Groups

Kathy-Ann C. Hernandez, Heewon Chang, Wendy A. Bilgen, Kathleen deMarrais, Melissa Freeman, Jori Hall, and Kathy Roulston

• Publisher: Myers Education Press
• Year: 2022
• Print ISBN: 9781975504878
• eBook ISBN: 9781975504892
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Education
• Subtopic: Research in Education

A 2023 SPE Outstanding Book Award Winner

Can transformation be the primary goal of autoethnographic research? In this book, the authors present a compelling case that this is indeed possible. Since autoethnography first appeared as a nascent approach to social inquiry, much has been written about it as a useful addition to the field of qualitative research methods. Over the years, its usage has been extended across various disciplines including the humanities, human services, social sciences, leadership studies, engineering, education, counseling, and even medical education. Notably, the primary function of autoethnography to advance our understanding around sociocultural phenomena has been increasingly paired with a parallel function of the many ways in which this research method can also contribute to practice. However, though its contribution to scholarship is well documented, less has been written about its practical usage as the focal point of inquiry. Yet there is growing evidence that one of the emerging strengths of autoethnography is its transformative capabilities. In Transformative Autoethnography for Practitioners, Hernandez, Chang and Bilgen turn the spotlight on autoethnography as a tool for practitioners where the primary goal is to solve real world problems by facilitating transformational change at the individual, group and/or organizational levels. They draw on existing scholarship as well as their collective work and expertise to provide a Transformative Autoethnographic Model (TAM) for use by practitioners who are intent on effecting such changes in their respective contexts.

The book contains seven chapters. Chapters One through Three provide the theoretical grounding for a transformative autoethnography model. Chapter One begins with a broad overview of autoethnographic research and the unique characteristics of this method that makes it especially suited for effecting transformational learning. In chapters Two and Three, the authors provide a quick review of the literature relevant to individual autoethnography and collaborative autoethnography respectively. Each chapter discussion is centered around explicating the transformative elements of the method as well as how it is able to effect change at the individual, group, and organizational level. Chapters Four through Six focus on the praxis of transformative autoethnography. In Chapter Four, the transformative autoethnography model (TAM) is presented in detail and templates are provided for its application. Chapters Five and Six show the application of the TAM in a variety of settings. The book ends with a final chapter discussion on the continuing evolution of autoethnographic explorations, as well as future applications for the TAM model in a fast changing digital landscape.

Perfect for courses such as: Research Methods in the Social Sciences | Qualitative Research Methods | Narrative Research | Advanced Qualitative Research Methods | Coaching and Consulting | Leading Change

Index

A

Abes, E.S., 110

Acosta, S., 10, 21

action research, 83, 99

Adams, T.E., 3, 5, 7, 9, 18, 33, 42, 100, 163, 164

adjourning, 70

Akehi, M., 9, 61

Alexander, B.K., 10, 44

Allen-Collinson, J., 68

American Educational Research Association, 163

analytical autoethnography, 4

Anderson, L., 4, 5, 36, 80

Anfara, Jr., V.A., 60

Anzaldua, G., 18–19, 45–46

artifact collection, 89

Atkinson, P., 4

AutoEthnographer, The, 163

autoethnographers, 6

living the life of, 164–65

transformation to, 17–18

autoethnographic I, 35

autoethnographic writing, 33

autoethnography, xiv

analytical, 4

as an artful science, 164–65

as catalyst for self-improvement and change, 14

characteristics of, 5–10

critical, 5

definition, 2–3

different approaches to, 4–5

disability and, 41

diverse end products, 10

evocative, 4

examination of self and, 11

four approaches to writing, 5

honest and transparent self-discovery, 13

individual or collaborative interrogation and, 8–9

inquiry method for in-depth understanding, 6–7

interpretive, 5

intersectional analysis and, 44

new groups of researchers and practitioners, 33

performative, 5

personal experience as primary data, 7

process for research and praxis, 9–10

professional lives and, 165–66

qualitative research ...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Halftitle
• Title
• Copyright
• Contents
• List of Figures and Tables
• Acknowledgments
• Preface
• ONE: Transformative Autoethnography
• TWO: Individual Autoethnography (IAE) for Transformation
• THREE: Collaborative Autoethnography (CAE) for Transformation
• FOUR: Transformative Autoethnography Model
• FIVE: TAM Applications for Individual Autoethnography
• SIX: TAM Applications for Collaborative Autoethnography
• SEVEN: TAM and Future Directions
• About the Authors
• Index