Present Narratives Research Articles

A lens into the everyday: visual ethnographies and making a multi-storied film in North-eastern Sri Lanka

Film and visual methods have increasingly become significant focus areas of International Relations (IR) and feminist research. Feminist filmmakers have put particular emphasis on co-production and participatory filmmaking as more symmetrical approaches to research, which can provide visibility for marginalized voices and can challenge dominant perceptions. In this article, I reflect on my experience of making Hidden Voices, an eighty-minute documentary film about everyday experiences of living with disappearances in North-eastern Sri Lanka and the complex ways in which individuals and communities navigate legacies of violence and recovery. I emphasize the ethnographic value of film in bringing out the less visible relational and embodied everyday. As part of this, I discuss film as a type of ‘tour’, which can open opportunities for self-direction from participants and can offer a unique affective medium and way of seeing. While some present film narratives as a ‘microcosm’ of specific local experiences, I used Hidden Voices to explore diverse experiences and at times diverging standpoints. I also highlight the ongoing dialogical and didactic social value of film. While visual methods can be powerful tools for ethnographic research, I also discuss ethical and epistemological tensions inherent in making a research-based film.

As die Cape Flats Kon Praat: Locality and the Literature of Precarious Living

This paper discusses the importance of Brian Fredericks’s short story collection, As die Cape Flats Kon Praat (If the Cape Flats Could Speak), published in 2020. The nine stories in the collection present different narratives of male characters and their experiences on the living areas outside Cape Town collectively known as the Cape Flats. These areas are synonymous with poverty and violence, identifiers that simultaneously suggest urgent attention but also reductive stereotyping. Two of the stories in the collection are examined here for information they provide about the intersections between gang culture and family relations, as well as how both are shaped by senses of place. How geographical space (here, space that was engineered during apartheid) influences and is influenced by the movements and actions of people is a point of theoretical interest in this article. This is supported by a short study of the workings of Cape Flats gangs and the transactional role played by violence. Fredericks’s collection joins a growing and necessary library of redress that reflects the value of Cape Flats narratives as essential to South African literature. That this collection includes the language of Afrikaaps, which is undergoing a similar re-evaluation in recent knowledge production, underscores the relevance of newer output that sheds light on the social codes, cultural grammars, and moral economies of a hitherto underrepresented literary region.

Temporalities in spatial narratives about war ruins in Mostar

The spatial turn in peace and conflict studies and the geographies of peace research agendas have underscored the importance of space in (post-)conflict societies. These fields, despite recognising that space and time are inseparable dimensions, often pay more attention to the former compared to the latter. To address this gap, this article explains how space relates to temporality, a concept that delves into the lived experiences of time. More specifically, I analyse how understandings of the past, present, and future shape spatial narratives about war ruins in Mostar (Bosnia and Herzegovina), where buildings targeted during the 1990s wars remain unreconstructed. Drawing on spatial narratives gathered through walks and elite interviews, I show that temporality is a crucial element of space because lived experiences of time structure individuals' perspectives on war ruins in Mostar. Four temporalities were woven into participants’ narratives: (1) narratives shaped by trauma temporalities where war ruins remind people of wartime violence and collapse past and present; (2) narratives driven by temporalities of nostalgia and opportunities that invite reflections about the future of Mostar; (3) narratives building on a temporality of commodification that sees ruins as marketable attractions for tourists; and (4) narratives framing ruins as barriers to synchronising Mostar to a temporality of modernity, characterised by notions of progress and economic development. Through these findings, I demonstrate that temporalities are a key factor in how individuals perceive space and highlight the importance of temporalities in explaining heterogeneous attitudes toward space in areas affected by violence.

A perezhivanie perspective of the interconnection between language teacher autonomy and emotion: making a case for emotional autonomy

ABSTRACT Purpose Although theory and research on language teacher autonomy and emotion have substantially grown in recent years, little research has examined their intersections. Drawing on the theoretical standpoint of perezhivanie and situated within a narrative inquiry design, this study explored Iranian English language teachers’ autonomy and emotion. Design Data were collected through narrative frames and semi-structured interviews from 10 teachers who taught English at a private language school. Findings Data analysis revealed four themes as to the teachers’ autonomy and emotion: (1) emotion as a strong determinant of teachers’ autonomy in the past, (2) autonomy as a strong determinant of teachers’ emotion in the present, (3) emotion-autonomy as refracting resilience, and (4) emotion-autonomy nexus refracting identity development. Value Drawing on the findings, we conceptualize the teachers’ emotion and autonomy through the term we propose in this study as ‘emotional autonomy’, defined as how autonomy and emotion intersect to shape teachers’ past, present, and future discursive narratives, memberships, and professional performances. Based on the findings, we provide implications for teacher educators to better attend to the interconnection of autonomy and emotion in teacher professionalism.

UNDERSTANDING IDENTITY CONSTRUCTION OF INDONESIAN EFL TEACHER EDUCATORS FROM A THREE-DIMENSIONAL NARRATIVE

Research into language teacher identity construction has proliferated in recent years. However, studies examining identity construction from an integral perspective of EFL teacher educators’ past, present, and future narratives seem sparse. To fill this lacuna, the present study was designed to explore five Indonesian EFL teacher educators’ identity construction from their past, present, and future narratives. This study’s data were generated through multiple life-historical interviews with the five participants. The thematic analysis showcased that language teacher identity is constructed as a continuum from the teachers’ past experiences as EFL learners, present experiences as lecturers and doctoral students, and future narratives as imagined teacher educators. The findings also revealed that the participating teachers constructed their language teacher identity through complex and context-dependent experiences in their past, present, and future narratives. Based on the study’s findings, we offer a novel approach to studying language teacher identity construction employing teachers’ three-dimensional narratives. This approach enables teachers to understand themselves and their relationships with social environments through the interconnectivity of their past, present, and future narratives.

Cross-national civilian reporting of the everydayness of war: Emerging citizen journalism practices in Palestine and Kashmir

This article explores how Palestinian and Kashmiri civilians engage with the everyday reality of war. The focus is on understanding how citizens temporarily adopt the roles of war correspondents, contributing to the broader conflict narrative. Employing an inductive approach, the study integrates ethnography, phenomenology, and reflexive thematic analysis (RTA) to gain insights into how citizen journalists shape war narratives. Analysing the interview data through RTA reveals six key themes: “Emerging citizen journalism practices,” “Community Consciousness,” “Challenges in media perception,” “Self-expression and Social cohesion,” Responding to Authoritarian Falsehoods”, “Teen journalism”, and “Self-protection and safety”. The findings suggest that the citizen journalism practices in Palestine and Kashmir strategically report the war narratives, representing a progressive journalism practice. The results underline that citizen journalism practices in these regions purposefully present war narratives and represent a form of constructive journalism, which responds to authoritarian regimes’ extensive control over mainstream media and facilitates reconciliation and peace. Such citizen journalism practices act as an equipoise to data imbalances in information architecture for the consumers. The research underscores how conflict citizen journalism embodies activist and collaborative models with robust potential for replication in other conflict-ridden areas.

Teacher professional identity: agentic actions of a novice teacher in a challenging school context

ABSTRACT Teachers develop their identity during initial teacher training and continue to develop it throughout their careers. Many teachers in rural schools find themselves teaching in challenging contexts. This study contributes to the body of knowledge by exploring agency as part of the development of a female teacher’s professional identity over six years as she obtains her degree and begins working in a rural town in South Africa. We used a narrative approach to listen to the participant’s stories and present narratives related to the proactive and generative actions that the participant took. By drawing on Bandura’s Social Cognitive Theory (SCT), we illustrate the importance of intentionality, forethought, self-reactiveness, and self-reflectiveness for agentic actions. Bandura’s ecological model highlights the importance of personal, behavioural, and environmental determinants of agency. The findings reveal that teachers experiencing similar challenging school contexts can draw on their skills, knowledge, personal values, and teaching and learning experiences to develop into teachers with a strong sense of agency who remain actively engaged in their school and the wider community. The authors propose that initial teacher educators refer to SCT as a framework during teaching practice to support the development of student teachers’ agency as part of their professional identities.

Living with ‘thin’ documents: a note on identity documents and liminal citizenship in the chars of Assam, India*

ABSTRACT This paper, based on my doctoral ethnographic research amongst the Miya community in one of the chars of Western Assam, shows how a particular category of identity documents shape their subjectivities, experiences, and aspirations. I focus on the identity documents which have errors, like mistakes in names, dates of birth or addresses, and badly angled photos. I refer to them as thin documents. Because of the thin documents, the Miyas find it difficult to assert formal citizenship rights, which they could normally assert based on accurate documentation. For the thin documents to help prove the Miyas’ citizenship, they must be further supported by an additional set of documents. The process questions the Miya’s formal citizenship rights. I present narratives of the Miya people living with thin documents to illustrate how the materiality of the identity document binds the Miya people to a state of liminal citizenship. I ask: what do these errors in the identity document or thin documents tell us about citizenship, particularly liminal citizenship with reference to the Miya community of Assam?

Growing Apart: The Historical Construction of Difference in Northern Cabo Delgado, Mozambique

How do past experiences of violence map onto present day narratives of insurgency in northern Mozambique? In the insurgency that began in northern Mozambique in 2017, narratives of past violent encounters and animosity between different ethnic groups sharing the coastal space emerge as a way of making sense of the conflict. This article explores the ways these narratives stem from existing historical tensions between Makonde and Mwani inhabiting the northern districts of Cabo Delgado. Drawing on ethnography and oral history to highlight the continuities in narrative, I will explore the ways in which current violence is interpreted through references to pivotal moments of violence in the past. I will address the historical construction of difference between Makonde and Mwani to consider what it may tell us about the fractures that underpin the insurgency.

African American heritage space: The plight to build a home for history

AbstractWith one African American museum in the county, many heritage organizations have attempted to build a museum to house artifacts and present community narratives for years. This commentary describes heritage organizations' efforts to establish a museum in a South Florida city.

Comparing brief video interventions to reduce public and self-stigma: Randomized control trial.

Stigma is a major mental healthcare barrier. This study compares the efficacy of two types of brief video interventions, targeting public and self-stigma, in reducing public stigma towards people living with psychosis. We hypothesized both interventions would similarly reduce public stigma and outperform the control group. As a secondary analysis, we explored the effect of familiarity with a person living with serious mental illness (SMI). Participants (N = 1215) aged 18-35 recruited through crowdsourcing were assessed pre- and post-intervention and at 30-day follow-up regarding five public stigma domains: social distance, stereotyping, separateness, social restriction and perceived recovery. Both videos present individual narratives using different approaches: the self-stigma video was created through focus groups, while the public stigma video portrays a single person's journey. A 3 × 3 analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed a significant group-by-time interaction across all five stigma-related domains (p's < .001). Effect sizes (Cohen's d) ranged from 0.29 to 0.52 (baseline to post-intervention), and 0.18 to 0.45 (baseline to 30-day follow-up). The two video interventions did not significantly differ. Linear mixed modelling showed a significant difference between participants familiar and unfamiliar with people living with SMI for the public stigma video, with greater stigma reductions for unfamiliar participants. This study corroborates previous findings on the positive influence of social contact-based interventions on youth mental health perceptions. Results provide insights into the relationship between public and self-stigma and the impact that familiarity with SMI may have on the efficacy of stigma reduction efforts further validation in diverse groups is needed.

LGBTQ+ collecting institutions: the culture of strategic management, motivation and professionalization

ABSTRACT This paper presents findings from an Australian Research Council Linkage Project investigating LGBTQ+ memory, migration and collecting institution practices. It analyses the ways in which minority LGBTQ+ collecting institutions (galleries, libraries, archives and museums) have professionalized in recent decades and adopted the use of strategic management documents such as strategic plans, mission statements and annual reports. Analysing documents from the 48 most prominent LGBTQ+ collecting institutions around the world, this article explores the ways in which such documents present narratives about the motivation and justification for minority collecting institutions, and how they represent themselves as professional rather than grassroots or activist organizations. Three core motivations emerged from the study: the preservation and celebration of the past, sustaining an ‘ethnic minority’ model of LGBTQ+ community through engagement in the present and aspiration for social change and justice for the future. The paper unpacks the underlying discourses to provide a perspective on the role of these cultural institutions in minority communities.

Advancing Quality in Health Economics and Dentistry: A Comprehensive Review

This review delves into the intersection of precision-driven healthcare and economic considerations within dentistry. Emphasizing meticulous care and resource allocation, it draws on seminal literature to present qualitative narratives of resilience and transformative experiences. Technology is highlighted as a promising catalyst, but challenges underscore the need for a universal lexicon in healthcare quality evaluation. Beyond scholarly discourse, the exposition becomes a chronicle of the human spirit, navigating the complex healthcare landscape. It encapsulates triumphs, reflecting not just metrics but the shared humanity in dental interventions and economic decisions. In the pursuit of quality, it portrays a scientific account marked by resilience, innovation, and commitment, shaping a healthcare environment where each individual's journey unfolds with enduring well-being and joyous smiles.

Rethinking the apocalypse: Zeno’s Conscience and Death Stranding

ABSTRACT The moment we live in is a moment of multiple crisis – environmental, political, economic, and viral – a moment, that is, where the reality of damage, fallibility and faultiness, and the ensuing fear, anxiety, rage, trauma, protest, and mobilisation have reached a critical point. Past and present narratives of crisis and trauma can help navigate this process. In this article we have chosen to focus on Italo Svevo’s Zeno’s Conscience (1923) and Hideo Kojima’s videogame Death Stranding (2019) for several reasons. The most important of all are Svevo’s and Kojima’s choices to deal with the trauma of crisis by emphasising and investigating the process leading to crisis, and of focusing on the zone in-between the ‘normal’ and the unknown. In so doing both narratives underscore the significance of ruins, desolation and the broken as a backdrop for rediscovering everyday life and forging meaningful connections in a fragmented world.

Evolution of Exhibition Space Strategies in Smart Museums: A Historical Transition from Traditional to Digital

Museums have long been regarded as important cultural institutions for preserving and presenting artefacts and artworks to the public. Over time, the strategies employed to showcase these collections have significantly changed, influenced by technological advancements and shifting visitor expectations. This paper explores the historical evolution of smart museum exhibition space strategies, focusing on transitioning from traditional to digital approaches. It highlights the shift from traditional static displays to interactive and immersive experiences, fostering visitor engagement and enhancing cultural understanding. Integrating technology and multimedia has revolutionized exhibition spaces, enabling smart museums to present diverse narratives and perspectives. This evolution has enriched the visitor experience and expanded the cultural value of museums, making them more accessible and relevant to a broader audience.

Confronting historical narratives at the Castillo de San Marcos, Saint Augustine, Florida

Recent research on intangible cultural heritage and the politics of contested sites of memory show that the emotional dimensions of historic places change over time and influence what visitors experience. These dimensions also influence interpretive strategies and historical narratives within sites that are public tourist destinations. In this regard, the Castillo de San Marcos in Saint Augustine, Florida posits significant challenges. As a national monument situated in a scenic, sea-side town, it is a symbol of Spanish Florida and part of the National Park Service (NPS). Conveyed as the place where ‘America begins,’ the lesser-known history is that, when operated under the United States military as Fort Marion (1825–1924), it was the site of three periods of Native American incarceration and the foundation of an educational system for forced assimilation. Within this context, this essay focuses on three questions: How does a governmental entity such as the NPS present complicated histories experienced at tourism sites? In what ways can the Castillo become a place that goes beyond Native American existence or disappearance to present complex narratives of survival and active resistance? And, to what extent can tourism sites become agents of change to confront settler colonialism through centering new voices? Through the concept of survivance and centering Indigenous perspectives and voices, national parks can broaden interpretations and create more complex narratives of history.

Anti-Vaccination movement as a supracultural phenomenon

Abstract Background Despite efforts by public health officials to counter the spread of anti-vaccine ideology, the movement continues to thrive in various countries and cultures. This study aims to answer the question of whether the anti-vaccine movement is a supracultural phenomenon that transcends national and cultural boundaries by identifying the anti-vaccine narratives in Serbia and comparing them to anti-vaccination narratives present in Germany, Brazil, India, United States of America, Australia, Canada, Nigeria and Japan. Answering this question can inform the development of targeted interventions and communication strategies to mitigate the negative impact of the anti-vaccine movement on public health. Methods For identification and understanding of the anti-vaccine narratives, qualitative research is conducted using thematic analysis via the folk model on 12 Serbian social groups on the internet chosen by the criteria of an existing anti-vaccine narrative. Systematic analysis of the topic-related literature from PubMed and Google Scholar and news articles and broadcasts provided information on present narratives in other countries. Results Comparative analysis of the acquired data has confirmed that two narratives are present in all countries. Distrust in the vaccine composition and benevolence of its components being one and another being the malevolent political agenda behind the vaccination. Conclusions This study has proved that the anti-vaccine movement is a supracultural phenomenon based on the recurring narratives in countries worldwide. The importance of this discovery for public health lies in the implication that only the unified international initiative to counter the anti-vaccine movements can hope to yield lasting results because, if confronted locally, movements can be bolstered from outside sources. Key messages • The anti-vaccine movement is a supracultural phenomenon. • The anti-vaccine movement cannot be countered locally.

Breaking the silence: three Pakistani women academics’ accounts of being bullied

Women in Pakistan’s higher education face barriers that silence their voices from reporting experiences of being bullied by colleagues and superiors. This situation contradicts universities’ role as houses of learning and agents of progressively improving culture and society. This group autoethnography presents three accounts by women academics challenging this taboo against speaking out. Without the silence being repeatedly broken, this toxic social phenomenon continues. Studies of women’s personal stories of being ostracised and bullied complement the emerging quantitative literature about bullying against women academics in higher education institutions. The present narratives about being the targets of bullying individuals are framed within national and international literature. Chronicling such bullying episodes increases recognition of personal, family, and career trauma for women academics. More qualitative accounts will further document the conduct by which women are ostracised, disrespected, and burdened with unfair extra work. Naming such behaviors overcomes the current silence, which leaves this conduct unacknowledged.

Doing The Work to Do the Work: Black Teacher Educators Learning to Heal and Healing to Teach

ABSTRACT In this study, we, both co-authors and Black teacher educators, explored our experiences imagining and practicing Black liberatory pedagogical praxes through the contours of anti-Black violence. Framed through engaged and healing-centered pedagogical conceptualizations, we use Black storytelling to present narratives of our storied experiences doing the work to do the work. In doing the work to do the work, we encourage other Black liberatory educators to both create and sustain individual and collective space(s) to build their sociopolitical analyses of oppression in their worlds, to remember Black movements and moments of the past that have transformed oppression, and to imagine more justice-centered pedagogical praxes that liberate themselves and their students. Doing the work to do the work is both theory and practice; we hope that Black educators and those supporting the liberation of Black peoples can contextualize our storied lives shared here in their own dreams and practices.

Confronting misconceptions of public housing communities: A qualitative report of community-informed narratives by community members and partners.

Objectives were (a) to understand a community-informed narrative, as told by community members (CMs) and community partners (CPs), about the strengths, experiences, and perspectives of public housing communities; and (b) to analyze similarities and differences between CMs' and CPs' experiences and perspectives. Qualitative interviews were conducted with 22 CMs of public housing (ages 26-58, 100% female caregivers, 96% Black, 4% multiethnic) and 43 CPs (ages 28-78, 67.4% female, 81.4% Black and African American). Four themes were derived from the CM and CP interviews: (1) counters to public narratives, (2) disinvestment begets disinvestment, (3) community conditions should be better, and (4) community cohesion and connection. Findings from this study present community-centered narratives and experiences that were counter to stereotyped public narratives and could influence public perceptions and behavior to inform policy changes related to improving living conditions and supporting CMs in public and low-income housing communities.