Abstract Based on the frameworks of Thirdspace theory, visual self-inquiry, and digital storytelling, this study reflects on the researcher's own visual journal, “Persistent Record Is My Strength: Devin's Drawing-Essay, Handspan Diary,” which has been shared and published via her blog and social media accounts since 2018. By introducing and analyzing her visual journal as a self-inquiry project, ongoing for 7 years, this study illustrates the researcher's experiences of linguistic, academic, and sociocultural adjustment, as well as her identity formation as a Korean doctoral student, underrepresented in higher education, through her everyday life. This study shows how arts-based self-inquiry can be incorporated into and connected and expanded to other, unexpected forms of sociocultural research as the researcher expands the work through digital platforms. Through such efforts, the researcher builds solidarity with other scholars and develops new collaborative projects. This study demonstrates the possibilities of qualitative research as scholars balance the roles of researchers, educators, and artists. This study demonstrates how arts-based research can act as “self-inquiry” that is not limited to merely satisfying reflection on an individual level, but instead becomes a call for community action as it produces ripple effects for activists and researchers in many fields.
Bokyoung Jo (Thu,) studied this question.