Boncori, Ilaria and Williams, Kristin Samantha (2023) Reclaiming space in family histories: impressionistic memory work as a feminist approach to historiography and storytelling. Qualitative Research in Organizations and Management, 18 (5). pp. 20-38. DOI https://doi.org/10.1108/qrom-11-2022-2446
Boncori, Ilaria and Williams, Kristin Samantha (2023) Reclaiming space in family histories: impressionistic memory work as a feminist approach to historiography and storytelling. Qualitative Research in Organizations and Management, 18 (5). pp. 20-38. DOI https://doi.org/10.1108/qrom-11-2022-2446
Boncori, Ilaria and Williams, Kristin Samantha (2023) Reclaiming space in family histories: impressionistic memory work as a feminist approach to historiography and storytelling. Qualitative Research in Organizations and Management, 18 (5). pp. 20-38. DOI https://doi.org/10.1108/qrom-11-2022-2446
Abstract
Purpose This article explores memory work and storytelling as an organising tool through family histories, offering theoretical and methodological implications and extending existing conceptualisations of memory work as a feminist method. This approach is termed as impressionist memory work. Design/methodology/approach To illustrate impressionistic memory work in action, the article presents two family histories set during Second World War and invite the reader to engage in the “undoing” of these stories and dominant ways of knowing through storytelling. This method challenges the taken-for-granted roles, plots and detail of family histories to uncover the obscured or silenced stories within, together with feminine, affective and embodied subjectivities, marginalisation and social inequalities. Findings This study argues that impressionistic memory work as a feminist method can challenge the silencing and gendering of experiences in co-constructed and co-interpreted narratives (both formal and informal ones). Originality/value This study shows that engagement with impressionistic memory work can challenge taken-for-granted stories with prominent male actors and masculine narratives to reveal the female actors and feminine narratives within. This approach will offer a more inclusive perspective on family histories and deeper engagement with the marginalised or neglected actors and aspects of our histories.
Item Type: | Article |
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Uncontrolled Keywords: | Family histories; Storytelling; Memory work; Feminist historiography; Life-writing; Impressionism |
Divisions: | Faculty of Social Sciences Faculty of Social Sciences > Essex Business School |
SWORD Depositor: | Unnamed user with email elements@essex.ac.uk |
Depositing User: | Unnamed user with email elements@essex.ac.uk |
Date Deposited: | 03 Aug 2023 14:13 |
Last Modified: | 16 May 2024 21:57 |
URI: | http://repository.essex.ac.uk/id/eprint/36097 |
Available files
Filename: Boncori Williams QROM impressionistic memory work.pdf
Licence: Creative Commons: Attribution 4.0