Advances in Autoethnography and Narrative Inquiry: Reflections on the Legacy of Carolyn Ellis and Arthur Bochner

Advances in Autoethnography and Narrative Inquiry pays homage to two prominent scholars, Arthur Bochner and Carolyn Ellis, for their formative and formidable contributions to autoethnography, personal narrative, and alternative forms of scholarship.

Their autoethnographic―and life―project gives us tools for understanding shared humanity and precious diversity; for striving to become ever-more empathic, loving, and ethical; and for living our best creative, relational, and public lives. The collection is organized into two sections: "Foundations" and "Futures." Contributors to "Foundations" explore Carolyn and Art’s scholarship and legacy and/or their singular presence in the author’s life. Contributors to "Futures" offer novel and innovative applications of autoethnographic and narrative inquiry. Throughout, contributors demonstrate how Bochner’s and Ellis’ work has created and shifted the terrain of autoethnographic and narrative research.

This collection will be of interest to researchers familiar with Bochner’s and Ellis’ research. It also serves as a resource for graduate students, scholars, and professionals who have an interest in autoethnographic and narrative research. This collection can be used in upper-division undergraduate courses and graduate courses solely about autoethnography and narrative, and as a secondary text for courses about ethnography and qualitative research.

Tony E. Adams is a Professor and Chair of the Department of Communication at Bradley University. He is the co-author and co-editor of nine books. He is a co-editor of the Writing Lives: Ethnographic Narratives book series (Routledge) and founding co-editor of the Journal of Autoethnography (University of California Press).

Robin M. Boylorn is an Associate Professor of Interpersonal and Intercultural Communication at the University of Alabama. She is the author, co-author or co-editor of three books. She is also an Associate Editor of the Journal of Autoethnography (University of California Press).

Lisa M. Tillmann is an activist researcher, documentary filmmaker, and professor at Rollins College. The author of two books and producer or co-producer of four documentary films, she holds the William R. Kenan Chair of Critical Media and Cultural Studies.