Thread by @DrPetra

Today's #ResearchTip is: Want people to 'share their story' (for teaching, research, or talks)?
Check:
- all that sharing their story may cost them (now and in future)?
- why you want to know?
- what you/they hope will happen on telling?
- their support needs
#AcademicChatter

Storytelling as a method is becoming increasingly popular not just in qualitative research but in teaching, advocacy and more commercial and fundraising arenas. Done well it can be powerful and bring change. Done badly it can be a waste of time at best,harmful at worst. #HigherEd

Because it's popular, and viewed as a quick way to make impact, storytelling may be used unethically and uncritically. More so as conference keynotes (and some teaching) move from a scholarly address to 'tell us your story' (I'm asked for the latter way more than the former now).

This can mean stories are solicited without consideration of the short and long term needs of the storyteller; potential (re)traumatising them - and audiences; and no kind of contextualising or analysis or linking to wider evidence. If we want stories, these factors are key.

Popular storytelling narratives currently within academic discourse include mental health confessionals;harvesting stories from vulnerable and marginalised communities; and collecting then retelling tales from indigenous groups. These in particular raise multiple ethical concerns

Does this mean you shouldn't solicit stories or share your own? No!
Does it mean you should think very carefully about who is being asked to share stories, to what purpose, and what will become of them? Yes!
Sometimes is it better to leave stories untold or kept safe? Definitely!

Remember, when it comes to sharing your own story, other people may not treat it (or you) with the respect or dignity it deserves. And when it comes to other people's stories, nobody else has the right to demand or profit from them (especially not at other people's expense).

Also there's a hidden privilege with being able to share your story (even if we don't feel it that way). Some people are *never* going to be safe enough to share theirs, or trust what may happen should they disclose. We ought to spend a lot more time considering why that might be

It takes bravery to share a story,particularly one that's sensitive or personal. And can be transformative for you and others who identify with you. It also takes bravery to refuse to share a story, or recognise doing so will increase harm to you or others. We should respect both

As I've said before, we can't assume, by the fact someone has shared a story that we know all about them or have the right to take, change or use their story for our own gain. We also can't assume someone isn't suffering or struggling because they *haven't* shared their story.

In research, teaching, pastoral care, advocacy and more we need the option of hearing and responding to stories in multiple ways that aren't all geared towards public disclosure (even if anonymised). There are many ways to do this, which we should be alert to.

And it's powerful and encouraging to know so many people have shared their stories and been acknowledged, respected and supported. But that is not the case for lots of people and that additional trauma (and danger) should never be ignored or underestimated. #AcademicTwitter

Finally, because storytelling is so emotive (because it's real people sharing real stuff) we need to respect that discussing storytelling in critical ways (which is essential) can feel threatening and upsetting to those who've chosen to share or withhold stories. Care is needed.