Liberating Academic Writing: Narrative and Life in Schools

A group of 14 multiethnic researchers explore creative ways to write about research on the life of schools, families, and communities in the U. S. South. We engage the audience from diverse research paradigms in the discussion on multiple forms of inquiry and representation. We focus on the cultural, linguistic, and political poetics of personal, community, and historical narrative to liberate academic writing. The potentials, contributions, concerns, and future directions of various inquiries and representations are also discussed. The purpose is to honor the value of engaging in writing to foster integrity, beauty, humanity, and freedom, to move beyond traditions and boundaries, and to embed inquiry in school, neighborhood, and community life to transform research into social and educational change.