Exploring perceptions of pracademics in an Arab context

PurposeThis study explored the perceptions of Arab professionals toward pracademia and the ways they position themselves as professionals in this field.Design/methodology/approachNarrative data were elicited through semi-structured interviews with a total of eighteen pracademics identified for their work in teacher education. Participants included ten professional development (PD) specialists, three university supervisors and five specialists working at the Ministry of Education in Qatar.FindingsNarrative analysis of the interviews revealed variations in their identity renegotiations, with one group experiencing an emerging pracademic identity and the other group “holding on” to their previous practitioner identities. The narratives further provided insight into Arab pracademics relating to three themes: (1) definitions and roles, (2) knowledge and skills and (3) relationships with others, all of which pertain to pracademic identity construction.Originality/valueThe study contributes to understanding the identity renegotiation of pracademics working in multiple contexts in an Arab setting. Several recommendations are offered to support pracademics' identity renegotiation as a social activity.

Comparative Examination of Motifs and the Representation of Identies in Selected Works of Kamau Brathwaite and Helene Johnson

This paper is an attempt to consider the deployment of literary motifs to discuss the representation of identities in the selected works of Kamau Brathwaite and Helene Johnson. The analysis was informed by the need to identify the adherence to the preponderant theme of the quest for identity and the representation of identities in American Literary tradition. This study critically appraised and analyzed the development of the African-American and Caribbean literary traditions within the conscious space of displacement and identity renegotiation. The study revealed that the selected and critically pieces of the writers amplify the similarity or uniformity in the sociohistorical experiences of displacement from the root, search for identity and reinstatement of lost values in the enabling milieus of the writers.

The Power of Story in Identity Renegotiation: Clinical Approaches to Supporting Persons Living With Aphasia

Purpose This clinical focus article provides an overview of the relationship between narrative, identity, and social co-construction for persons with aphasia and of narrative treatment approaches targeting identity renegotiation. The intent is to provide speech-language pathologists (SLPs) with background on how these key concepts fit within the Life Participation Approach to Aphasia and to empower them to consider engaging in personal narrative co-construction with their clients. The idea of narrative identity is supported by the Living with Aphasia: Framework for Outcome Measurement, particularly within the Personal domain. A focus on identity through the co-construction of small and big stories can help SLPs prioritize supporting those living with aphasia in moving on with aphasia as part of their story. Emphasis is placed upon the interaction and relationship between the SLP and the client as critical to the social reconstruction and validation of identity through support of shared personal narratives. The PULSE framework is introduced as a foundation for supporting narrative and identity in clinical work with individuals living with aphasia. Evidence-based life story–focused interventions are reviewed. Conclusion Stories are powerful tools in moving life forward post stroke and aphasia. Supporting the development of personal narratives that allow identity reconstruction falls within the scope of Life Participation Approach to Aphasia and the Living with Aphasia: Framework for Outcome Measurement. SLPs are well suited to support identity renegotiation in persons with aphasia through narrative construction.

Retelling one’s life story—how narratives improve quality of life in chronic language impairment

Recent research in the field of narrative-based medicine has investigated the effectiveness of using illness narratives to stimulate coping processes. This chapter examines the utilization of the narrative approach in treating persons with aphasia—a neurological language disorder—many of whom experience reduced social participation and a change in identity. Although life-story work can support processes of sense-making, only a few studies use a biographic–narrative approach in aphasic patients due to their impaired language abilities. The chapter describes an adapted biographic-narrative intervention developed to assist with identity renegotiation and social participation. In order to show the benefits associated with the intervention and how the participants’ sense of self changed through the approach, the chapter examines a study with 27 aphasic people. It covers how the findings provide foundations for future work using biographic–narrative interventions to influence quality of life and identity renegotiation in people with chronic diseases.