Writing together metaphorically and bodily side-by-side: an inquiry into collaborative academic writing

Abstract

Research discourses are permeated by metaphors. As well, metaphors can be used to create new possibilities for action. In this article, we describe our attempt to apply particular metaphors for writing research gleaned from our study of the research practices of 24 education researchers from Australia and North America. With reference to the metaphor: writing as a piano duet, for example, we explore the experience of writing side-by-side with each other for the first time. Our reflexive account not only deals with this writing experience, but also discusses potential benefits and shortcomings of this approach to writing and the application of metaphors to guide research practice. Writing in this way is indicative of the metaphor writing as research.