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Close to My Heart: Autoethnographic Approaches is a one-day, creative research methods gathering that invites postgraduate researchers from the University of Sussex to explore diverse methodologies related to autoethnographic research. Through innovative and collaborative workshops, we will reflect on and attend to the challenges and joys of working with subject matters close to our hearts.
A method of self-study that combines characteristics of autobiography and ethnography, autoethnographic research connects the autobiographical and personal to broader social meaning, analysing researcher-lived experience to better understand cultural phenomena. Applying a range of autoethnographic approaches through workshops led by Sussex PGRs from across the Social Sciences and Media, Arts and Humanities, the event focuses on locating points of interdisciplinary intersection through collective, reflective methodologies and practices.
Building on the conversations and connections forged as part of the RLI-funded Close to My Heart: PGR Perspectives (May 2024), a symposium exploring ethical considerations for postgraduate research relating to ‘closeness’ and researcher positionality, Close to My Heart: Autoethnographic Approaches seeks to further unravel possibilities for connection that can emerge from situating our individual experiences in the context of others, our commonalities and our differences, to consider new ways of working across our different fields of postgraduate study.
Registration for the event is now open. Tea and coffee will be available from 09.30 in the ACCA cafe, where lunch will also be provided. The first workshop will start promptly at 10.00.
Parts of the event will be photographed by the University photographer, Stuart Robinson. If you would prefer not to be featured in any photographs, please let Stuart know on the day.
Access, inclusion and participant well-being are central to Close to My Heart, and participants can expect multiple modes of participation and choice to be incorporated into all sessions. We will be operating a 'relaxed environment', where participants are free to leave, re-enter, move around, take a break and/or journal in the Gardner Tower Mezzanine chill-out space. For more information, feel free to email event organiser Tiffany Murphy (PGR in Drama, Theatre and Performance) at tm505@sussex.ac.uk.
Workshops:
Workshop 1 – Mapping the Personal: Building a Politics of Intimacy with Self and Community, led by Kam Meakin, Media, Arts and Humanities
Workshop 2 – I am because we are: Reflective Practices and Collective Narratives in Autoethnography, led by Fezile Sibanda, Education and Social Work
Workshop 3 – Navigating Vulnerability in Autoethnographic Research, led by Bella Barrett, Global Studies
Workshop 4 – A creative, reflective session led by Beth Sutton, Global Studies
Close to My Heart: Autoethnographic Approaches is supported by the Sussex Researcher School's Researcher-led Initiative Fund and the Media, Arts and Humanities Research Culture Fund. The event is part of the Summer of Research 2025, a two-week festival of researcher-led talks, workshops and exhibitions celebrating our fantastic research here at the University of Sussex. Find out about and sign up for other exciting events here!
