Shaping of Professional Identities : Revisiting Critical Event Narrative Inquiry

This thought-provoking research anthology adopts a postmodern stance and fills in a gap of knowledge for the education of professional development in teacher education, health sciences and the arts. Allowing subjectivity and multiple voices, the authors add to the intimate and negotiated knowledge of being and becoming – indigenous, architect, mother, teacher, health researcher, and supervisor. In fifteen chapters, the authors share knowledge of pain and reward in critical events in the realm of professional identity formation. The book provides a selection of personal and far-reaching stories and adds to the reflexivity of memories of critical events.

Contributors are: Geir Aaserud, Åsta Birkeland, Bodil H. Blix, Sidsel Boldermo, Mimesis Heidi Dahlsveen, Nanna Kathrine Edvardsen, Rikke Gürgens Gjærum, Tona Gulpinar, Carola Kleemann, Tove Lafton, Mette Bøe Lyngstad, Elin Eriksen Ødegaard, Anna-Lena Østern, Alicja R. Sadownik, Tiri Bergesen Schei and Vibeke Solbue.

Mette Bøe Lyngstad is Professor in Drama and Applied Theatre at Western Norway University of Applied Sciences. She is research leader of the research group Neglected Narratives that initiated this research anthology. She has written several research articles about narrative work with marginalised groups.

Tiri Bergesen Schei is Professor of Music Education and Head of the research program “Arts, Creativity and Cultural Practices” at Western Norway University of Applied Sciences. Her research targets the functions of arts-based approaches in education and topics related to performative and artistic activities.

Elin Eriksen Ødegaard is Professor of Educational Science and Director of Kindergarten Knowledge Center at Western Norway University of Applied Sciences. She has published many books, articles and films about children's exploration, narrative meaning-making and professional development.