A World in Miniature: the storytelling potential of research offcuts

ABSTRACT

Based on my experience of curating ‘offcut’ data from a major educational research project, I presented a methodology at an academic conference in 2018 which was based on a ‘bowerbird’ approach, developed by writer researchers in Australia. After the presentation, I proposed that this paper form a new ‘bower’ in that it would be structured to reflect the focus of those who contributed to the post-presentation discussion. As a consequence, it explores more of the discussion around community education (the ‘World in Miniature’) and less around the methodology initially presented, although the bowerbird will still make an appearance.

KEYWORDS:

• Bowerbird
• curation
• community education
• agency

Acknowledgments

This ‘bower’ is dedicated to Catina Barrett, an ultra-bowerbird whose vision made creative use of project support funds to commission the curation. Every bower is different and I am also remade as a researcher, writer and thinker by that summer of blue.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Notes

1. Generally referred to in England as ‘community learning’.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Lou Mycroft

Lou Mycroft is a nomadic educator and researcher, formerly a community public health worker and social purpose teacher educator. She works across a variety of constellations, from grassroots to policy. Her strengths lie in building communities of praxis and in enabling spaces where people think critically and for themselves. She is interested in rhizomatic working practices and in posthuman approaches to social justice education.