Click the star to add/remove an item to/from your individual schedule.
You need to be logged in to avail of this functionality.
Log in
Accepted Paper:
Paper Short Abstract:
Juvenile offenders can face loss of narrative control in the justice system. In 2023-2024, the podcast "The Other Side of the Coin" created a space to share stories, challenge stereotypes, reclaim voices, and foster dialogue with society highlighting the transformative power of self-narration.
Paper Abstract:
For juvenile offenders, who navigate adolescence within the rigid confines of the juvenile justice system, narrating their own stories can reveal significant challenges. On one hand, adolescents cling to a logic of secrecy, shaped by the habitual act of confessing every aspect of their private lives; on the other, their voices are often taken over by others within the juvenile justice process, who assume control of their story. Conducting research with these minors through traditional oral ethnographic methods can, therefore, prove complex.
Between September 2022 and March 2024, my ethnographic work explored strategies to enable these adolescents to express themselves, rethink their identities beyond imposed categories, and reclaim autonomy and privacy. Fieldwork highlighted their need for a collective space where their marginalized voices could disrupt stereotypes of the “young delinquent.”
In autumn 2023, this gave rise to the podcast "The Other Side of the Coin", a platform where participants shared their emotions, experiences, and reflections without fear or constraints. The podcast aimed to open a dialogue with broader society through a circular use of storytelling, moving beyond ethnographic objectives alone.
This space became a laboratory for personal and collective exploration, enabling participants to reimagine themselves beyond labels, critique the institutions shaping their lives, and reclaim ownership of their voices and secrets. The anonymity offered by the podcast’s audio format further empowered them to express themselves freely, fostering both introspection and resistance to external narratives. This approach underscored the transformative potential of self-narration in reshaping identities and relationships with society.
From research with children to new ethnographic approaches : (un)writing dominance in research relationships
Session 2