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Close to My Heart: Autoethnographic Approaches is a one-day, creative research methods gathering that invites postgraduate researchers (PGRs) from the University of Sussex to explore diverse methodologies related to autoethnographic research. Through innovative and collaborative workshops led by Sussex PGRs from across the Social Sciences and Media, Arts and Humanities, participants will reflect on and attend to the challenges and joys of working with subject matters close to our hearts.

A diverse programme of workshops, the event focuses on locating points of interdisciplinary intersection through collective, reflective methodologies and practices. PGRs from across the University will discuss and explore a range of approaches for autoethnographic research — a method of self-study that connects the autobiographical and personal to broader social meaning and positioning — including life-writing, memory recall, reflexive and reflective journaling, positionality and vulnerability mapping and creative reflection.

Workshop leaders include Kam Meakin, a recent MAH PGR due to graduate, , a PGR in Education and Social Work, Bella Barrett and , PGRs in Global Studies. MAH PGRs and Mick Feltham are supporting the event, having presented at the inaugural RLI-funded (May 2024) symposium. The event is organised by , PGR in Drama, Theatre and Performance and this year’s Media, Arts and Humanities (MAH) winner of The Adam Weiler PGR Impact Award. 

Building on the conversations and connections forged as part of last year’s symposium, which explored ethical considerations for postgraduate research concerning researcher positionality and lived experience through an interdisciplinary programme of paper presentations, Close to My Heart: Autoethnographic Approaches seeks to further unravel possibilities for connection that can emerge from situating our individual experiences in the context of others, our commonalities and our differences, to consider new ways of working across our different fields of postgraduate study

Part of the University’s Summer of Research 2025, a two-week programme of events for our research community and beyond, the event is taking place on Wednesday 18 June from 10 – 4 in the . Close to My Heart is supported by the Sussex Researcher School's Researcher-led Initiative (RLI) Fund and the Media, Arts and Humanities Research Culture Fund,

Close to My Heart: Autoethnographic Approaches has now sold out, but is operating a waiting list on , where you can find more details. Join Tiffany and other RLI awardees at the Summer of Research Beyond Research World Cafe event on Wednesday 11 June, to hear more about the project.