Bringing Together Action Research and Autoethnography: Reflections from Wuppertal

Yesterday’s online symposium at the University of Wuppertal was a terrific reminder of how much we can learn when different voices come together in one space. The organisers made a smart choice by bringing schoolteachers, graduate students, and researchers into conversation about collaborative approaches to professional development.

David and I have both presented on our respective specialities many times before. David has talked extensively about action research, and I have shared insights about autoethnographic approaches. But having the chance to explore how these methodologies connect and enrich each other felt genuinely fresh and energising. We found ourselves rediscovering just how powerful autoethnography can be in the journey of becoming a scholar. It’s not just a research method, but a transformative practice that helps us understand our own professional growth.

Thank you to Dr Constanze Dreßler and Dr Rebecca Schlieckmann at the University of Wuppertal for creating the space for this conversation and for nudging us towards connections we might not have made otherwise!