
Sarah Strauven (she/her)
Phoenix Australia and The University of Melbourne
Sarah’s research has addressed the mental health effects of natural disasters and grassroots responses to the challenges faced by refugees.
www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-strauven-83b84925
Tell us about your research
I’m currently a research fellow in the disaster stream at Phoenix Australia, where my work primarily revolves around researching or addressing the mental health effects of traumatic events such as natural calamities and major adversities. This area of study typically aligns with more traditional research paradigms. Most of my narrative practice-informed research happened during my doctoral project looking at Australian grassroots community initiatives. These initiatives centred on sharing and engaging with the stories of individuals with refugee experiences.
What’s most significant to you about this research?
What’s most significant to me about the research I started with my doctoral project is exploring the definitional ceremonies and witnessing practices embedded in grassroots responses to the challenges faced by individuals resettling in Australia. These experiences have led me to profoundly reflect on witnessing as a relational responsibility in everyday life. Through a synchronous interaction with one of the individuals I had interviewed, I came to appreciate the value of witnessing within research contexts as a means to reciprocate and honour their contributions. This encounter was transformative, bringing me close to a place where my values, hopes and actions aligned. These acts of witnessing significantly enriched my understanding of collaborative ethics in my research.
What drew you to narrative practice in the first place?
I was drawn to narrative practice because of its ethical and political dimensions. There is a profound insistence within mainstream Western psychology to dehistoricise and decontextualise human suffering, which limits our imagination to meaningfully witness and support people’s agency. Engaging in narrative conversations opened up new possibilities that empowered the people I was working with and sustained my efforts in supporting them.
Is there a book or article or other publication that has particularly informed or inspired your approach to bringing together narrative practice and research?
The work of Aaron Kuntz was instrumental in shaping my approach to methodological responsibility in research. I see parallels between Kuntz’s application of Michel Foucault’s insights in qualitative research and Michael White’s innovations in therapy. Kuntz’s work significantly broadened my understanding of research possibilities, providing intellectual grounding that encouraged me to explore independently. Moreover, my interaction with him was incredibly enriching; despite being a junior researcher, he generously shared his time and insights, which not only reinforced his scholarly contributions but also exemplified his commitment to his principles in a personal context.
What are your hopes for your participation in the Narrative Practice Research Network?
My hopes for the Narrative Practice Research Network include opportunities to foster mutual support that will advance narrative practice within research. Specifically, I’m interested in meaningful witnessing, critical conversations and collaborative efforts, enriching the field with diverse perspectives and insights.
Sarah’s podcast series, People with and without refugee experience co-creating a shared world through narrative practices, is available on the NPRN website here.