ABSTRACT
Chapter 1 explores the importance of self-awareness in justice-centered qualitative research and offers strategies to enhance our work through self-reflection. It emphasizes the transformative power of knowing ourselves and its impact on understanding and respecting others. The chapter highlights the value of storytelling and arts-based approaches in qualitative research for promoting engagement and social change with life-changing moments shared from Jennifer Wolgemuth, Sara Johnson, and Alevir Pido. By recognizing our positionality and being open to learning, we can navigate multicultural contexts with greater sensitivity. Critical self-reflection is discussed as a tool for examining biases and power dynamics in research. The chapter presents three stories illustrating the connection between self-awareness, transformation, and justice-centered research. Overall, it emphasizes the role of self-awareness in fostering ethical and inclusive research practices.
