Writing to Transgress: The Sankofa Writing Method as a Framework for Healing in Education Research

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Wednesday 10:50 am Four Seasons Ballroom 1
  In Roundtable Session: Generating Possibilities Via Critical Reflections and Expansion of Methods (Table 10)

Abstract

This conceptual paper explores the Sankofa Writing Method (SWM) as a decolonizing framework and transformative onto-epistemological literary tool for educational research and practice. SWM utilizes writing to confront trauma, reclaim personal and collective histories, and envision liberated futures. By integrating the core principles of the SWM framework: "Remember to Talk Back," "Excavate Trauma," "Destroy the Myth," and "Amplify the Margin," SWM fosters a holistic approach to self-expression and healing. This method offers significant applications across educational contexts, from curriculum development to student support services, and extends to various fields including psychology, STEM and creative arts. This research aims to create inclusive educational environments that acknowledge historical and current injustices, offering a transformative tool for scholars, practitioners, and students.

Author

• Ayana T. Hardaway, Stanford University