Research and Scholarship
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- Research and Scholarship
The Center for the Study of Narrative (CSN) promotes and supports student and faculty research that is narrative in focus. We seek collaborators who have a personal interest in and compassion for particular populations. We’ve conducted interviews with a wide range of subjects and groups such as veterans, seniors, addiction, victims of domestic violence, youth who have suffered the loss of a parent, homeless youth, and cancer survivors.
Within a research setting, the interview process involves protecting the anonymity of participants according to the policies of Mercer’s Institutional Review Board. The following are examples of Center or faculty initiatives:
Collaborator: Dr. Paul Gallant, Director of the Narrative Therapy Institute
Work: Conducted a narrative therapy workshop at Mercer’s Atlanta campus in September 2017
Workshops: Led a workshop in Atlanta on September 29, 2017, entitled, “The Principles and Practices of Narrative Therapy.” Attendees included Dean Danheiser, Dr. Don Redmond, Dr. Caroline Brackette, Dr. Karen Rowland, Dr. Laurie Lankin, masters and doctoral students, and a drop-in visit from President Underwood, Senior Vice President for Strategic Initiatives Kellie Appel, and Provost Scott Davis.
Collaborator: Dr. David Lane, Professor of Counseling & Human Sciences
Work:
- Gold Stone: A Narrative Approach to Dealing with Trauma, National Youth at Risk Conference, Savannah, March 2016
- Presented, “A Narrative Approach to Trauma Recovery” at the Licensed Professional Counselors Association of Georgia Conference in Stone Mountain, GA. in May 2016
- Interview with Counseling Today entitled ‘Stories of Empowerment’
Publications:
- Lane, W. David, Myers, Keith J., Hill, Maurice C., and Lane, Donna E. (2016) Utilizing Narrative Methodology in Trauma Treatment with Haitian Earthquake Survivors, The Journal of Trauma and Loss
- Lane, W. David, Myers, Keith J., and Lane, Donna E. Brief Narrative Trauma Treatment with Survivors of Natural Disaster, Kentucky Journal of Professional Counseling
Collaborator: Dr. Don Redmond, Associate Professor of Counseling
Work:
- Presented “University-Based Centers for Research: New Methods for Collaborative Counselor Education at the Association of Counselor Supervision Conference, Philadelphia, PA. , October 2015
- Chaired panel entitled “Narrative in the Classroom and Beyond” at the International Society on Narrative Conference in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, June 2016
- Co-presented “Narrative of Resilience” with Jonathan Brown at the 29th national Youth at Risk conference in Savannah on March 7, 2018
- Presented “Narrative Theory and Study Abroad: Metaphorical and Literal Travel,” with Dr. Sabrina Walthall at the 9th Narrative Matters Conference in Enschede, Netherlands, on July 3, 2018
- Presented “The Theory and Practice of Narrative Inquiry: Ideas and Examples from the Center for the Study of Narrative” at the 9th Narrative Matters Conference in Enschede, Netherlands on July 4, 2018
- Presented “Narrative Digital Expression: Using Technology to Celebrate Resilience,” with Toni Monroe at the 9th Narrative Matters Conference in Enschede, Netherlands, on July 5, 2018
- Chaired panel entitled “Narrative Care,” at the 9th Narrative Matters Conference in Enschede, Netherlands, on July 5, 2018
- “Narratives Across Disciplines, Mediums, and Time Zones: Using Narrative Nonfiction, International Travel, and Digital Storytelling to Inspire Critical Thinking,” presented with John Mark Parker at the International Society for the Study of the Narrative Conference in Pamplona, Spain, June 1, 2019
- Authored Life Is Good: A Narrative Approach To Gerontological Interventions (pdf)
Publications:
Redmond, D. (2016). Ethical and legal issues in adolescent residential treatment and working with SEBD (Social, Emotional, and Behavioral Difficulties) populations in “The Ethics of Counseling Children and Adolescents” Sartor, T.A., McHenry, W. & McHenry, J. Eds.
Collaborator: Dr. Arla Bernstein, Assistant Professor of Communication
Work: Creating and hosting various workshops including, “Storytelling in Class and Out in the Community”
Collaborator: Dr. Margaret Eskew, Professor of English
Work: Leading and participating in a five-week playwriting workshop experience with Mercer students. Dr. Eskew’s play centered on a couple dealing with the onset of Alzheimer’s.
Collaborator: Visiting scholar, Dr. William Randall
Work: Delivered the keynote address at the Spring 2018 Atlanta Research Conference on “Narrative and Interdisciplinary Studies” and how the field of narrative instructs his work in the field of gerontology
Workshops: Dr. William Randall led a workshop in Atlanta on April 6, 2016, entitled “Narrative Care: Putting Theory into Practice. Workshop attendees included Dean Danheiser, Dr. Laurie Lankin, Dr. Tim Craker, Dr. Clinton Terry, Dr. Don Redmond, Kevin Williams, Dr. Wesley Barker, and doctoral students.
Collaborator: Dr. Melanie Pavich, Associate Professor of Interdisciplinary and Historical Studies and College Writing Coordinator
Work:
- Mapping African-American cemeteries on St. Simons Island, Georgia
- Conducting interviews and creating digital stories centered on families with ancestors buried at the former Retreat Plantation
Collaborator: Dr. Charles Roberts, Associate Professor of Mathematics
Work: Research and narrative interviews with Mercer University math students to help determine ways to enhance student learning
Collaborator: Dr. Suneetha Manyam, Associate Professor of Counseling
Work:
- Presented “Exploring International Rehabilitation Counseling: Narratives of Cultural Immersion Experience,” at the National Council on Rehabilitation Education Conference in Long Beach, CA, in April 2016
- Presented “Narratives of Childhood Trauma Survivors,” at the Licensed Professional Counselors Association of Georgia Conference in Stone Mountain, GA, in May 2016
Collaborator: Dr. Sabrina Walthall, Associate Professor of Science
Work: Presentation at the 2018 Narrative Matters conference entitled, “Adult Learners and Science Anxiety: The Journey of Each One Teach One”
Collaborator: Dr. Fred Bongiovanni, Chair and Professor of Sociology and Religious Studies
Work: Project entitled “Religion Calling, Ordination, and Ministry: Narratives of Millennial Age Baptist Women in Ministry”
Collaborator: Dr. John Chalfa and Professor Sydney Chalfa
Work: Led a workshop on Digital Storytelling/Digital Narratives in Atlanta, September 9, 2016. Attendees included Dean Danheiser, Dr. Don Redmond, Dr. Karen Rowland, and Mercer students.
Collaborator: Dr. Karen Rowland, Associate Professor of Counseling
Work: Presented on “Narrative Creation and Risks Associated with Adolescents and Social Media” at an International Family Systems Conference
Collaborator: Visiting scholar, The Rev. Dr. Karen Scheib, Professor of Theology, Emory University
Work: Delivered the keynote address at the 4th Annual Narrative Showcase entitled, “Re-Storying in the Wake of Grief”
- Dr. Wesley Barker attend the 2016 Narrative Matters conference in Vancouver, BC
- Exploring the Relationship Between Attachment Styles and Career Decision Making Self-Efficacy Among African Americans, Kimberly Griffin, 2019
- The Impact of Food Insecurity on Family Functioning, Jacqueline Robinson, 2019
- Adult Siblings of Individuals with Developmental and Psychiatric Disabilities: Relationship Quality, Coping, and Plans for The Future, Margarita Vélez Rice, 2018
- Examining Counselors Level of Professional Experience with Adult Attachment Style and Comfort with Emotional Intimacy, Kenika Holloway, 2018
- Educated Beyond Adversity: Understanding Resilience and Attachment in Homeless Young Adults Pursuing Higher Education, Felicia Tillman, 2018
- The Impact of Immersion Courses in Self-Perceived Multicultural Competence
Mercianna Oliver, 2018 - From University to Employment: An Exploration of Employment Barriers and Perceived Stress Levels of Internationals Living in The United States, Terah L. Davis, 2017
- The Influence of Age, self-perception of masculinity and femininity, and Their Interaction on Gender Expression of Cisgender College Students, Dela Sweeney, 2015
- An Investigation of the Association Between Emotional Trauma, Perceived Stress Reactivity, and the Growth of Uterine Fibroids in Nigerian Women, Eniabitobi Kuyinu, 2015
- An Examination of the Moderating Effects of Religious Coping Among Adolescents and Young Adults Affected by Trauma, Stanley C. Hoover, 2015
- Narratives of Perceived Social Support as a Mediator for Increased Coping Resources and Optimism Among Cancer Patients and Survivors, Tavari Taylor Brown, 2015
- Islam and Psychological Well-Being of Middle-Eastern Women Living In United States, Sanaz Rezaei 2015