This document summarizes a research project that used life story interviews to understand the identities of former prisoners. It discusses the methodology of conducting life story interviews and analyzing them through the theoretical frameworks of identity formation over the lifespan and critical adult education. Specifically, it examines how Paulo Freire's theory of critical education can empower students and transform them through bringing previous lived experiences into the educational process. The document also considers the ethics of who owns a story and who can tell it or change it, as well as how understanding life trajectories can help inform policy.

1. Understanding Narrative
Inquiry Through Life
Story Interviews With
Former Prisoners
Emerging Researchers' Conference, Geneva, 02 - 03 September 2021
ECER 2021
@Angelikilim
anlima@tcd.ie

2. Background: The project

3. This paper’s main aims:

4. Methodology:
The life story
If your life
was a book

5. Fieldwork: step by step

6. Theoretical
Framework:
Identity
Formation
through the
life span
The concept
of
recognition

7. Theoretical
Framework:
Critical
Adult
Educaion
Paulo Freire
and Identity
or…
Finding our
place in the
world
His theory that critical
adult education is based
on is the Education of the
Oppressed
Education is a political
action, in the sense that it
can not be separated from
society
Education teaches us
necessary skills, but it can
not be stripped of critical
characteristics that will
engage the students in
dialogue
Through education
students and educators
learn how to navigate life
and get empowered
Previous lived experience
is important that should be
brought in the educational
process
The educational outcome
is empowerment and
transformation
(through transformative
action)

8. Who owns a story?
Who can tell it?
Who can change it?
Ethics and
positionality of the
researcher

9. ‘People are storytellers by nature’
The only thing that keeps us
from floating off with the wind is
our stories. They give us a name
and put us in a place, allow us to
keep on touching.
Tom Spanbauer (1992, p. 190
It is not only about what we
narrate, but also how we
narrate it.
The story is one’s identity.
A story created, told, revised,
and retold throughout life.

10. The need for a
life – trajectory
way to inform
policy

11. References
https://doi.org/10.1080/15358593.2018.1555645