Adoptee-centred research, storytelling and knowledge exchange in Australia
The Australian Adoption Stories Research Network brings together Australian adoptee writing, research and creative practice. While adoption involves families, institutions and communities, the Network places adoptee stories and adoptee-produced knowledge at the centre of its work.
Adoption stories are often told. Yet adoptee perspectives have not always held equal authority in determining how adoption is researched, represented or understood.
The Network is a collaborative group which aims to strengthen adoptee-centred research and storytelling by bringing together people working across scholarship, creative practice, community services, publishing and public engagement.
Creative writing and story-based research
Adoptee-centred consultation
Research and community partnerships
Trauma Informed Adoptee Workshops and Advocacy
Trauma Informed Model for Adoptee Storytelling
The network is developing a model for adoptee-centred story telling.
The project brings together adoptees, writers, researchers and organisations to explore how adoption stories can be developed and shared in ways that strengthen agency, authorship, ethical practice and emotional safety.
The Network seeks to contribute to:
greater recognition of adoptee-generated knowledge
ethical and responsive approaches to adoption storytelling
new pathways for creative and scholarly publication
greater collaboration between researchers, community organisations and cultural institutions
improved public understanding of adoption
