Project

The NARG project develops applications of the evidence-based Narrative Agency Reading Group model for libraries, schools and hospitals. It is a Proof of Concept project funded by the Research Council of Finland, and it utilizes and tests research results in practical settings, promotes their societal impact, and develops operational models to meet practical needs.

The narrative agency reading group model has been researched in Instrumental Narratives: The Limits of Storytelling and New Story-Critical Narrative Theory (2018-2022) and in Counter-Narratives of Cancer: Shaping Narrative Agency (2023-2027), both funded by Research Council of Finland. The Instrumental Narratives project developed ideas and analytical tools that equip researchers, professional groups and non-academic audiences to navigate today’s social and textual environments that are dominated by storytelling, while the Counter Narratives of Cancer examines culturally mediated ways of narrativizing cancer and counter-narratives that challenge dominant narrative practices.

The NARG project develops two applications of the Narrative Agency Reading Group Model: one that focuses on the creative process from a developmental and pedagogical perspective in reading groups organised in libraries and schools, and the other on the bibliotherapeutic uses of the method for the psycho-social support for patients living with serious illnesses, and for preventive work in hospitals and the third sector.

During the project there will be organised trainings for bibliotherapists, library workers and teachers. If you belong to the target group and wish to participate in a training, you may contact Päivi Kosonen who is responsible for the trainings.

International workshops will be organized with Oxford Centre for Life-Writing, Tallinn University, and the Karolinska University Hospital’s Psychooncology Unit.

The project will prepare a training manual for reading groups and set up a permanent website. Both will be published at the end of the project.