Creative conversations as a way of re-establishing academic joy: a duoethnography
Dr Jess Moriarty and Dr Mark Price
Creativity in higher education is under attack, and this is at least two pronged: on the one hand, staff are overworked and demotivated by the pressure to do more for less, which inevitably impacts on how we research and how we teach, and on the other, the current government seems hellbent on undermining the arts and humanities by reducing provision in schools and colleges and questioning the value of a
degree in creative subjects. As writers, lecturers and researchers, the effects of this pincer movement are keenly felt, from the authors’ related but contrasting perspectives and narratives.
In their forthcoming article and in this presentation, Jess and Mark explore a process of writing as dialogue that they identify as enabling them to reflect on and explore their relational understanding of the current context in higher education (HE). By exchanging writings where they detail their lived experiences with joy in their academic lives, they have been able to create a duoethnography that has supported them to find meaning, create understanding and deepen their sense of connection and community.
This process of writing and dialogic exchange – and noting the differences between them and across their writing – has reminded Jess and Mark why what they do still matters, why it means so much and how to retain academic joy as a strategy for withstanding the assault on creativity in education.
Keywords: creativity; duoethnography; higher education; writing; dialogue
Dr Jess Moriarty is Principal Lecturer in Creative Writing and Course Leader for the
Creative Writing MA. She is an experienced researcher and editor for the book series,
Performance and Communities for Intellect Books. She has published extensively on
creative writing pedagogy, autoethnography and community engagement. Her current book – Walking for Creative Recovery – adopts an autoethnographic approach and explores creative practice as a method for supporting well-being.
Dr Mark Price holds the post of Associate Professor, working primarily on the Doctor of
Education programme at St Mary’s University, Twickenham. Since joining St Mary’s
School of Education in January 2021, Mark has also continued in his role as an
Honorary Fellow at the University of Edinburgh’s Centre for Creative-Relational Inquiry.
Previously, Mark has worked extensively as a playworker, teacher, youth worker, and
psychotherapist before entering academia.