Warts and all: Back stage stories of an academic life.
Authors: Scott, S., Taylor, M.C., Grant, M., Chapman, N. and Cooke, B.
Conference: British Sociological Association Auto/ Biography Silver Jubilee Summer Conference
Dates: 15-17 July 2016
Abstract:British Sociological Association Auto/ Biography Silver Jubilee Summer Conference July 15-17 2016 - Wolfson College: Oxford Saffron Scott, M Clare Taylor, Mary Grant, Nicola Chapman, Beth Cooke Bournemouth University
Warts and all: Back stage stories of an academic life This paper will document the experience of a group of occupational therapy academics and lecturer practioners who were asked to present their professional career journey stories to a final year group of OT undergraduate students as a means of inspiring professional development.
Using Goffman’s (1959) theatrical metaphor, the challenging aspect was to move from the usual front of stage character of the lecturer to expose the ‘private’ back stage selves to both colleagues and students whilst maintaining professional dignity and credibility. The stories were constructed independently but observed in presentation by both colleagues and students. Following the session personal reflections of the experience took place highlighting a number of issues experienced. These included anxiety surrounding exposure of the backgrounds to our career identities, career choices and achievements, fear of audience judgement and the impact on the student/lecturer relationship. Challenges were faced when deciding what significant elements to include and exclude in the construction of the narratives and to ensure that imperfections were not ignored. Other aspects considered in the construction of the narratives were how to make the stories entertaining, informative and inspiring.
Making use of these personal reflections we will illustrate the experience of creating and sharing narratives with our colleagues and students from the back stage venue of the private self which in normal teaching roles remains a hidden and protected place.
GOFFMAN, E. (1959) The presentation of self in everyday life. London: Penguin Books.
Source: Manual