Sense and Sensitivity

The study described in this book is aqualitative phenomenological research study whose objective was to reveal thewriter s identity of teacher educators in academia and to discover how theyexpress this identity in their teaching practice. Twenty-three academicscholars were interviewed for the study.The research findings indicate that the identityof the writer is complex, incorporating three interwoven aspects: a cognitiveaspect, an emotional aspect and a sociocultural aspect.The cognitive aspect finds expression in thewriter s awareness and understanding of the medium of writing, which explicitlyand openly entails the production of ideas while writing. This process isfundamentally rhizomatic in that it moves in different directions, each timebeginning anew from a different point, and is ultimately geared toward amultidirectional and multilayered product.The emotional aspect in the writer s life issomewhat mystical in nature. It is a medium that surrounds writers at all timesand enables them to find their voice and their place in the world. The writingworkspace is perceived as part of this aspect. It is a sanctuary that providesinspiration, is designed according to the writer s needs and shapes thewriting.The sociocultural aspect shapes the identity ofthe writer and highlights social mirroring as partof the writer s positioningin life and in the professional community.Intended audience: This book is aimed at thecommunity of researchers in the writing domain. It is also of interest toacademic scholars in higher education who perceive writing as part of theirpersonal and academic identity. Qualitative researchers will find interest inthe research method and the relations between qualitative genres, among themphenomenological and narrative genres.