New York University

Faculty Member, Silver School of Social Work

Professor

Silver School of Social Work

About

My approach to my studies has much in common with critical gerontology, medical humanities, cultural gerontology, and narrative inquiry. My particular interest is in how narrative inquiry can provide fresh insights and new conceptualizations for the development of practice, policy and health professions education. Currently I am studying narratives—literary, dramatic, autobiographical, and popular culture representations of aging, old age, memory, and aesthetics. My past studies have drawn upon the concepts of moral reasoning, prosaics, self-agency, reciprocity of care relationships, and domestic and micropolitical space in care situations and performances. I am particularly interested in cultural meta-narratives and archetypes of aging, old age and Alzheimer’s Disease and how the language of loss and diminishment negate value, selfhood and embodiment—thus producing and reinforcing inequalities in access and care.

My colleagues and I “study up” from stories, e.g., literature, film and personal accounts, to provide alternatives to the predominant economistic and/or professionalist theories and ideologies on which social policies, organizational practices, and professional/provider behaviors are based. The methods we use are drawn from literary interpretation and feminist sociology and focus on plots, metaphors, and figurative language where policy and practice relevant issues arise. Our intent is offer opportunities to view frailty and caregiving from a humanist, relational perspective.

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