Between Self and Other: Research with Adolescents and Literary Texts

Drawing on insights from the position of an educator-researcher, this session will explore the role of dialogue in deepening adolescents' engagement with literary texts. It will consider the potential value of dialogic educational experiences for adolescent school life in meeting the developmental needs of this age phase: developing a sense of self in relation to others, alongside augmented thinking characterised by prolonged reflection as well as collaborative thinking and critical inquiry. Presentation will involve a deepened understanding of the characteristics and nuances of dialogue about literature: what it means to be in dialogue as an adolescent, as described by students. It will consider new insights into fostering dialogic talk with adolescents, along with its adoption and practice in secondary schools. There will also be discussion about conducting research with adolescents using phenomenological methods as an educator in their setting, along with the value as well as the challenge of completing a PhD whilst simultaneously teaching. Dr. Sadia Fatima Shafquat recently graduated with a PhD from the Faculty of Education at the University of Cambridge. Her work involves a dialogic approach to the study of literary texts with adolescents. She is passionate about bridging research and practice in classrooms and completed her thesis whilst working part-time as a secondary school leader whilst her doctoral research involved some of her own students.