Knowing Selves

Abstract

It is argued that we need to cultivate a wider appreciation of the range and variety of national traditions in qualitative research in general, and biographical research in particular. There are many such traditions in Europe, but because of the dominance of the English language, they remain poorly known outside their own countries of origin. This paper makes a plea for a greater knowledge and dissemination of those research traditions. The paper is illustrated with references to just two such European traditions – from Italy and Poland. It is also suggested that these research traditions constitute social actors in culturally and historically distinct ways.