Method of “Currere” as autobiographical research

• In Event: Light a Fire and Watch It Burn: Disruptive Qualitative Methods in Education Research

Abstract

In the ever-changing landscape of educational research, methodologies that champion personal reflection and narratives are increasingly being recognised for their capacity to bring about transformation. One such method is “currere”, offering a life-changing process for educators to engage in, as they reflect on and reframe their pedagogical practices (Cary, 2006). This chapter describes the author’s personal journey of using “currere” to transition from her exclusive teaching landscape during the apartheid political era, to a more inclusive, culturally competent pedagogical approach in post-apartheid South Africa (Author, 2024). Serving a dual purpose, this chapter is both a narrative and a guide for students in educational research, demonstrating the reality of using “currere” as a disruptive research method and a tool for professional development.

Author

• Shani Steyn, Independent Institute of Education