Using Arts-Based Research and Friendship Methodology to Embrace Our "Motherscholar" Identities

• In Event: But Some of Us Are Brave: Existing as Mothers, Teachers, and Scholars

Abstract

This study uses friendship methodology to explore the positive impact for four female academicians who employed arts-based research prompts to collectively document the gradual embrace of our “motherscholar” identities. Acting as both researchers and participants, we share this study to implicitly advocate for changes in the discriminatory institutional and cultural practices put upon motherscholars, while explicitly speaking about the attitudes and perspectives that motherscholars can control within and for ourselves in order to craft better outcomes for both our home and work lives --- because of, not in spite of our motherscholarshood.

Authors

• Lauren E Burrow, Stephen F. Austin State University

• Chrissy J Cross, Stephen F. Austin State University

• Shaunna Smith, Texas State University

• Heather K. Olson Beal, Stephen F. Austin State University