Growing Through Friendship: A Co/Autoethnographic Self-Study of Two Women Scholars in

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Saturday 9:45 am - Gold 2
  In Roundtable Session: Critical Friendships and Collaboration: Self-Study Journeys of Friendship, Dialogue, and Resistance

Abstract

This co/autoethnographic self-study explores the evolving friendship between two women scholars, “S” and “D,” who met during their Ph.D. program and sustained their connection beyond its completion. Through collaborative storytelling, reflection, and analysis, they examined how their friendship supported their professional/researcher identity formation, personal well-being, and research engagement. Grounded in feminist pedagogy and Seligman’s PERMA theory, this study reveals how relational inquiry served as both method and context for growth. Our narratives illustrate the ways emotional support, intellectual challenge, and shared purpose foster transformation as educators, humans, and researchers. Findings contribute to the literature on adult friendship, feminist research, and teacher education by demonstrating how friendship can be a rigorous, identity-shaping force in academic life.

Authors

• Donna Volpe, Ramsey Board of Education

• Shanna Dawn Anderson, Montclair State University