Transformative Moments in Qualitative Research

Have you ever wondered if through your research you could make the world a better place? Have you ever wanted to know more about how others conduct their research? In this groundbreaking book, Anna CohenMiller, multi-award- winning author and educational leader, eloquently fuses powerful stories of research with methodological insight and theory. Each chapter offers a clear, practical and engaging exploration of qualitative inquiry, emphasizing the power of research to foster equity, inclusion and justice-centered practice (e.g., social justice, economic justice, environmental/ ecological justice). Through a collection of captivating and thought-provoking stories from a diverse set of emerging and established scholars, the chapters inspire, challenge and empower readers to consider their own work and practice from research design, to fieldwork, analysis and interpretation, to sharing findings and coalition building and advocacy. The nuanced approach of this accessible text tackles complex issues, inviting readers to reflect on their own research practice and embrace transformative learning, shining a light on the work and experiences of marginalized communities often overlooked in academic discourse. In bringing together creative storytelling modes and methods, such as poetic inquiry, dialogic conversations and reflections across decolonial practice, Indigenous research, participatory youth action research and ecopedagogy, the stories provide a rich tapestry of experiences and perspectives. This book is an invaluable resource and testament to the profound impact of qualitative research for graduate students, practitioners and researchers to enhance their research and praxis. It will appeal to audiences across disciplinary backgrounds including social sciences, educational sciences, humanities and STEM and health fields, encouraging us to embrace the power of research to shape a more inclusive and just world by creating positive change within ourselves, our practice and our research.

Anna CohenMiller is a TEDx speaker and multi-award-winning qualitative methodologist and educational leader who uses transformational research and leadership to address issues of equity, inclusion and justice in higher education internationally. She specializes in arts-based research to facilitate and amplify the voices of marginalized, overlooked/misheard and colonized communities, focusing on guiding and empowering early career researchers and demystifying justice-centered research. For inquiries, she can be reached through her website: www.anna.cohenmiller.com.

Foreword: Transformative Stories Move Us Towards Justice Donna M. Mertens Introduction: Empowering Researchers through Stories: Indigenous Inquiry, Decolonial Research, Emancipatory Learning and the Arts Section I: Awareness in Qualitative Inquiry 1. Knowing Ourselves in Qualitative Inquiry 2. Creating a Foundation in Qualitative Inquiry 3. Seeking a Critical Perspective in Qualitative Inquiry Critical Self-Reflective Questions about Awareness in Qualitative Inquiry Section II: Vulnerability in Qualitative Inquiry 4. Recognizing Failures and Potential Risks in Qualitative Inquiry 5. Noticing Vulnerability and Potential for Change in Qualitative Inquiry 6. Learning from Others in Qualitative Inquiry Critical Self-Reflective Questions about Vulnerability in Qualitative Inquiry Section III: Transformation in Qualitative Inquiry 7. Creating Balance in Qualitative Inquiry 8. Building Meaningful Relationships in Qualitative Inquiry 9. Developing Self-Transformation in Qualitative Inquiry Critical Self-Reflective Questions about Transformation in Qualitative Inquiry Conclusion: Becoming: Embracing Transformational Learning and Justice in Research through Self-Reflection and Vulnerability