UIW Doctoral Student Shares Work at Global Digital Storytelling Conference
Michelle Casares, a doctoral candidate in the Dreeben School of Education at the University of the Incarnate Word (UIW), traveled to Brazil to present her research at the combined inaugural International Conference on Social Technologies of Memory and the 12th International Digital Storytelling Conference. Organized by the Museu da Pessoa (Museum of the Person) and StoryCenter, two global pioneers in the field of participatory storytelling, and in partnership with the Social Service of Commerce (SESC) Research and Training Center, the event became a landmark for professionals using stories for change. The gathering united a global network of educators, researchers, artists and others dedicated to using storytelling methods to preserve cultural memory and drive social transformation.
Casares presented her research titled "Empowering Communities, Educating Professionals: Digital Storytelling, Storytelling Methods and Participatory Action Research for Autism Advocacy." Her work uses community-based participatory action research and digital storytelling methods to amplify the voices of parents of children with autism, aligning with the conference's inclusive and transdisciplinary approach to social justice.
The conference featured the "Cultural, Memory and Heritage Hub" as a central theme, bringing together diverse voices ranging from guardians of Indigenous memory to modern cultural agents. It invited participants to view popular knowledge and personal stories as a "force for transformation" in the face of global challenges.
“Being part of this historic gathering in São Paulo was a profound experience,” said Casares. “Witnessing how the conference brought together such diverse voices, from Indigenous guardians to academic researchers, reinforced the power of narrative to forge meaningful connections across cultural and professional boundaries. My research focuses on using storytelling to advocate for parents navigating autism care, and this conference confirmed that whether preserving cultural heritage or improving healthcare equity, sharing our stories is a vital tool for social transformation.”
Beyond the academic sessions, Casares immersed herself in the rich cultural and ecological landscape of São Paulo. She hiked to the summit of Pedra Grande in the Serra da Cantareira State Park, offering a breathtaking panorama of the metropolis and the Atlantic Rainforest. She engaged with local community efforts at Casa Ecoativa on Bororé Island, where she met with youth leaders driving eco-cultural projects in their community. The cultural immersion continued with visits to the vibrant street art community of Beco do Batman, the historic Mercado Municipal, known as Mercadão, and a visit to the iconic São Paulo Cathedral.
By participating in this unprecedented meeting, Casares joined a global dialogue on how social technologies of memory can be used to address community challenges, further establishing educational research internationally at UIW.