ABSTRACT
In this essay we identify a creative and playful approach to storying ourselves in our research that has developed our connection with each other, offering a safe space in our professional lives to discuss our lived experiences as mothers and academics. Our method of storying ourselves as reimagined characters from established fairy tales and myths involves mutual respect, dialogue, sharing stories and a discussion of their potential meaning, in terms of lived experiences of higher education and the uncomfortable overlap of our personal and professional lives – the domestic and the academic, the mother and the tutor – all jostling for space. We argue that our method of collaborative autoethnography has supported us to value this overlap, strengthening our sense of identity as domestic academics and mothers.
