Leading with care
Four mentor metaphors in collaboration between teachers and researchers in action research (Translated from the Swedish and revised by the authors)
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 21600607 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Ulrika Bergmark (0000-0002-7952-5111, Luleå University of Technology, corresponding author), Ann-Charlotte Dahlbäck (Svensby and Böle School, Piteå Municipality, Sweden), Anna-Karin Hagström (Music & Dance School, Piteå Municipality, Sweden), Sara Viklund (0000-0002-9687-8285, Department of Creative Studies, Umeå University & Piteå Municipality, Sweden) |
| Year | 2024 |
| Volume | 32 |
| Issue | 3 |
| Pages | 475-492 |
| Publication date | 2024-05-26 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Educational Action Research (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0965-0792 • E-ISSN: 1747-5074 |
| Publisher | Informa UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1080/09650792.2023.2229870 |
| OpenAlex | W4382940358 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 2 |
| References cited | 22 |
Mentoring is a central aspect of action research processes and raises ethical issues concerning roles and responsibilities, particularly when teachers and researchers collaborate. The purpose of the study is to explore mentoring and the roles of mentors in action research from an ethical stance. The theoretical basis is the philosophy of care ethics developed by the American educational philosopher, Nel Noddings. Participants in the study included one researcher and three teachers with experience serving as mentors in action research. Data collection included written reflections and collegial conversations on mentoring. Thematic analysis and the domain interactional model were used in the analysis, where four mentor metaphors in action research emerged: the gardener, the shepherd, the teacher and the bridge-builder. All roles can be practiced at the same time; sensitivity determines when a mentor moves in and out of different roles. The study finds that care ethics can contribute to an increased understanding of mentoring as something situated and relational, where a symmetrical approach between mentor and mentee is emphasized. The goal of mentoring should not be to treat everyone equally, but instead to build relationships on the individual level in order to establish mutual trust based on individual needs. The study shows that the four mentor metaphors can serve as a useful tool for critical reflection on the complexity of the mentor role and accordingly, the renegotiation of stereotypical mentor roles in relation to the quality of teaching
Action research · Engineering ethics · Pedagogy · Qualitative research · Situated · Social science · Sociology · Thematic analysis · Educational and Psychological Assessments · Psychology · Teacher Education and Leadership Studies
| Citations per year | 1 |
|---|---|
| Citation span | 2024 - 2025 (2) |
| Highly cited | No |