Autoethnography as creative expression: What my story could have been…

Abstract

This paper explores how I am using creative expression combined with autoethnography and feminist theory to fulfil my PhD project objectives. My television drama series examines sexism, gender roles and gender-assigned occupations. Autoethnography uses the researcher's story and often stories of others alongside theory to encourage social change, and forms part of the writing methodology for my project. Autoethnographic stories rely on memory and discretion, therefore 'truth' is not necessarily essential or possible, and so I discuss 'truth' in relation to belief and knowledge, as discussed by current researchers of the theories of Heidegger and Foucault. Spurred on by writers who desire to create work that is inclusive and accessible, I chose creative expression in the form of a fictional television series to attract a wider audience and encourage social change. I refer to current feminist writers who critique post-feminism, with its questionable claims that equality has been achieved, its tendency towards individualism rather than group activism, and its lack of political content. Butler's concept of performativity in relation to fictional female business owners is discussed in relation to my female protagonists who, as a motivated group, enter a male-dominated industry.