Layer it like lasagna

Critical, creative, & courageous autoethnography

Bibliographic Data

ID21747271
AuthorsKari A Lerum (0000-0002-1276-9111, University of Washington Bothell, corresponding author)
Year2026
Volume23
Issue2
Pages295-310
Publication date2026-04-03
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Curriculum and Pedagogy (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1550-5170 • E-ISSN: 2156-8154
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/15505170.2025.2479202
OpenAlexW4409216240
LanguageEN
References cited39

While there is a significant expansion of cross-disciplinary interest and embrace of autoethnography, and increasingly rich literature on autoethnography as a pedagogical tool, of this writing there is an absence of publications on specifically how to teach critical autoethnography. Part of the disconnect between interest in autoethnography and pedagogical instruction lies in the diversity of understanding of what counts as “critical” and “autoethnography,” as well as the range of epistemologies and objectives streaming through and across this method. This article first defines critical autoethnography and a complementary approach, the “layered account” followed by a review of interdisciplinary origins and uses of autoethnography. Next, the article describes and assesses an original assignment that guides students in creating critical sociological autoethnographies using layered accounts. The article concludes that critical autoethnographic assignments can underscore anti-oppression pedagogies, facilitate critical and creative learning, and possibly provide an antidote to despair

Autoethnography · Nanotechnology · Pedagogy · Sociology · Adult and Continuing Education Topics · Gender Studies · Materials Science · Posthumanist Ethics and Activism · Qualitative Research Methods and Ethics

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