Research and Scholarship
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- Research and Scholarship
The Center for the Study of Narrative (CSN) promotes and supports student and faculty research that is narrative in focus. We seek collaborators who have a personal interest in and compassion for particular populations. We’ve conducted interviews with a wide range of subjects and groups such as veterans, seniors, addiction, victims of domestic violence, youth who have suffered the loss of a parent, homeless youth, and cancer survivors.
Within a research setting, the interview process involves protecting the anonymity of participants according to the policies of Mercer’s Institutional Review Board. The following are examples of Center or faculty initiatives:
Collaborator: Dr. Don Redmond, Professor of Counseling
Work:
- Redmond, D. & Uytdewilligen, M. (2024, June). Cross-Atlantic Counseling Collaboration: A Decade of Knowledge Sharing between Dutch and US-based Counselor Training Organizations. Presented at the International Association for Counselling Conference, Naples, Italy.
- Redmond, D. (2023, June). Sports Stories, Fandom, and Narrative Identity. Presented at the 11th Narrative Matters Conference, Tampere, Finland.
- Redmond, D. (2022, May) Present as Prologue: Viewing Personal and Cultural Events in the Context of Story Chapters. Presented at the 10th Narrative Matters Conference, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Redmond, D. (2021, October) A Decade of Dissertations: Reflections from a Quantitative Turned Qualitative Methodologist. Presented at the American Counselor Education and Supervision Biennial conference, Atlanta, GA
- Redmond, D. (2021, May), Assessment and the Art and Science of Data Gathering, accepted for presentation at the Georgia Professional Counselor Association annual conference, Savannah, GA.
- Redmond, D. (2020, May). Personal and Global Identity in a Time of Crisis – A Developmental Crossroads? Presented at the virtual Psychology of Global Crises conference hosted by the American University of Paris.
- Redmond, D. & Parker, John Mark (2019, May). Narratives across Disciplines, Mediums, And Time Zones: Using Narrative Nonfiction, International Travel, and Digital Storytelling to inspire critical thinking. Presented at the International Society for the Study of Narrative Conference, Pamplona, Spain.
- Redmond, D. (2018, July). The Theory and Practice of Narrative Inquiry: Ideas and ExamplesFrom the Center for the Study of Narrative. Presented at the 9th Narrative Matters conference, Twente University, Enschede, The Netherlands.
- Redmond, D. & Brown, J. (2018, March). Narratives of Resilience. Presented at the National Youth at Risk Conference, Savannah, GA.
- Redmond, D. (2016) Interdisciplinary University Narrative Centers, presented at the International Society on Narrative Conference in Amsterdam, Netherlands, June 2016.Panel chair for “Narrative in the Classroom and Beyond”.
- Myers, K. J. & Redmond, D. (2014, October). Evoking change: Utilizing Motivational Interviewing as asupervisory model. Southern Association of Counselor Educators and Supervisors (SACES). Birmingham, AL.
- Redmond, D. (2014, June). Narrative Therapy and Gerontology. The Art and Science of Memory.Presented at the 7th Narrative Matters conference, American University of Paris, Paris, France.
- Redmond, D. (2014, April). Narrative Theory: Using Stories to Make Sense of Life. Presented at theMercer University Student Affiliate Organization (SAO) annual conference, Atlanta, GA.
- Redmond, D. & Overzat, T. (2014, March). The Use of Personal Narratives in Gerontological Counseling: A Narrative Therapy Approach. Presented at the American Counseling Association Annual Conference and Expo, Honolulu, HA.
Publications:
- Redmond, D. (2025). The Art of Morale Maintenance: Erik Erikson, Hillside, and the Therapeutic Process. Manuscript in preparation.
- Redmond, D. & LaFleur, R. (Eds.). (2022). Narrative and Personal and Social Transformation [Special Issue]. Narrative Works. (11)1.
- Redmond, D. (2016). Ethical and legal issues in adolescent residential treatment and working with SEBD (Social, Emotional, and Behavioral Difficulties) populations in “The Ethics of Counseling Children and Adolescents” Sartor, T.A., McHenry, W. & McHenry, J. Eds.
Collaborator: Dr. David Lane, Professor of Counseling & Human Sciences
Work:
- Gold Stone: A Narrative Approach to Dealing with Trauma, National Youth at Risk Conference, Savannah, March 2016
- Presented, “A Narrative Approach to Trauma Recovery” at the Licensed Professional Counselors Association of Georgia Conference in Stone Mountain, GA. in May 2016
- Interview with Counseling Today entitled ‘Stories of Empowerment’
Publications:
- Lane, W. David, Myers, Keith J., Hill, Maurice C., and Lane, Donna E. (2016) Utilizing Narrative Methodology in Trauma Treatment with Haitian Earthquake Survivors, The Journal of Trauma and Loss
- Lane, W. David, Myers, Keith J., and Lane, Donna E. Brief Narrative Trauma Treatment with Survivors of Natural Disaster, Kentucky Journal of Professional Counseling
Collaborator: Dr. Paul Gallant, Director of the Narrative Therapy Institute
Work: Conducted a narrative therapy workshop at Mercer’s Atlanta campus in September 2017
Collaborator: Dr. Arla Bernstein, Assistant Professor of Communication
Work: Creating and hosting various workshops including, “Storytelling in Class and Out in the Community”
Collaborator: Dr. Margaret Eskew, Professor of English
Work: Leading and participating in a five-week playwriting workshop experience with Mercer students. Dr. Eskew’s play centered on a couple dealing with the onset of Alzheimer’s.
Collaborator: Visiting scholar, Dr. William Randall
Work: Delivered the keynote address at the Spring 2018 Atlanta Research Conference on “Narrative and Interdisciplinary Studies” and how the field of narrative instructs his work in the field of gerontology
Workshops: Dr. William Randall led a workshop in Atlanta in 2016, entitled “Narrative Care: Putting Theory into Practice.
Collaborator: Dr. Melanie Pavich, Associate Professor of Interdisciplinary and Historical Studies and College Writing Coordinator
Work:
- Mapping African-American cemeteries on St. Simons Island, Georgia
- Conducting interviews and creating digital stories centered on families with ancestors buried at the former Retreat Plantation
Collaborator: Dr. Charles Roberts, Associate Professor of Mathematics
Work: Research and narrative interviews with Mercer University math students to help determine ways to enhance student learning
Collaborator: Dr. Suneetha Manyam, Professor of Counseling
Work:
- Presented “Exploring International Rehabilitation Counseling: Narratives of Cultural Immersion Experience,” at the National Council on Rehabilitation Education Conference in Long Beach, CA, in April 2016
- Presented “Narratives of Childhood Trauma Survivors,” at the Licensed Professional Counselors Association of Georgia Conference in Stone Mountain, GA, in May 2016
Collaborator: Dr. Sabrina Walthall, Associate Professor of Science
Work: Presentation at the 2018 Narrative Matters conference entitled, “Adult Learners and Science Anxiety: The Journey of Each One Teach One”
Co-Founder of Narrative Theory Study Abroad, and Co-leader (2012, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2025)
Collaborator: Dr. Fred Bongiovanni, Professor of Sociology and Religious Studies
Work: Project entitled “Religion Calling, Ordination, and Ministry: Narratives of Millennial Age Baptist Women in Ministry”
Collaborator: Dr. John Chalfa and Professor Sydney Chalfa
Work: Led a workshop on Digital Storytelling/Digital Narratives in Atlanta, 2016.
Collaborator: Dr. Karen Rowland, Professor of Counseling
Work: Presented on “Narrative Creation and Risks Associated with Adolescents and Social Media” at an International Family Systems Conference
Collaborator: Visiting scholar, The Rev. Dr. Karen Scheib, Professor of Theology, Emory University
Work: Delivered the keynote address at the 4th Annual Narrative Showcase entitled, “Re-Storying in the Wake of Grief” 2018.
- Halle Matula: Counselors Lived Experiences of Countertransference and Attachment Styles When Working with Severe Mental Illness (SMI). Defended 11/8/23.
- Jonathan Brown: This is My Story: A Qualitative Narrative Inquiry of the Lived Experiences of African American Faculty Members of Predominantly White Universities. Defended: 11/8/23.
- Tyann Moseley: Forever Imprinted: Understanding the Relationship between Betrayal Trauma within Intimate Relationships and Adult Attachment. Defended 3/29/22.
- Marlon Williams; It’s Not the End of the World – It Just Feels Like it: Grief Experiences of Black Former College Football Players. Defended 11/15/20.
- Exploring the Relationship Between Attachment Styles and Career Decision Making Self-Efficacy Among African Americans, Kimberly Griffin, 2019
- The Impact of Food Insecurity on Family Functioning, Jacqueline Robinson, 2019
- Adult Siblings of Individuals with Developmental and Psychiatric Disabilities: Relationship Quality, Coping, and Plans for The Future, Margarita Vélez Rice, 2018
- Examining Counselors Level of Professional Experience with Adult Attachment Style and Comfort with Emotional Intimacy, Kenika Holloway, 2018
- Educated Beyond Adversity: Understanding Resilience and Attachment in Homeless Young Adults Pursuing Higher Education, Felicia Tillman, 2018
- From University to Employment: An Exploration of Employment Barriers and Perceived Stress Levels of Internationals Living in The United States, Terah L. Davis, 2017
- An Investigation of the Association Between Emotional Trauma, Perceived Stress Reactivity, and the Growth of Uterine Fibroids in Nigerian Women, Eniabitobi Kuyinu, 2015
- An Examination of the Moderating Effects of Religious Coping Among Adolescents and Young Adults Affected by Trauma, Stanley C. Hoover, 2015
- Narratives of Perceived Social Support as a Mediator for Increased Coping Resources and Optimism Among Cancer Patients and Survivors, Tavari Taylor Brown, 2015