Anna S. CohenMiller

Taylor & Francis

POPULAR CULTURE IN EVERYDAY LIFE Popular culture remains one of the most important and powerful mediums to discuss, critique, and take seriously popular representations of gender, sexuality, race and the social dimensions/ideologies animating such representa tions (e.g., racism, sexism, queerphobia, classism). It intersects and weaves into our ever...

Creativity is connected with the prominent challenges of the 21st century, such as unpredictability and complexity of a fast-changing, globalizing world. Possessing creative skills can help young people to navigate through uncertainty and fast paced changes. Therefore, the topic of creativity has received considerable attention and been studied ext...

This study examines student experience in the context of their transition to remote instruction during the first months of the COVID-19 pandemic with a particular focus on the gendered aspects of the student experience. The researchers conducted a survey in July 2020 at one of the leading universities in Kazakhstan, Nazarbayev University. We sought...

mothers in academia, literature review, PRISMA, coding, gender equity and inclusion, social justice

We present the interdisciplinary CoWriting Kazakh project in which a social robot acts as a peer in learning the new Kazakh Latin alphabet, to which Kazakhstan is going to shift from the current Kazakh Cyrillic by 2030. We discuss the past literature on cognitive learning and script acquisition in-depth and present a theoretical framing for this st...

The COVID-19-related lockdown interrupted children’s learning progress and discontinued social learning and regular activities that children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) rely on socially and physically. Negative consequences for children with ASD were reported far and wide. To investigate this problem in Kazakhstan, we conducted a mixed-meth...

While researchers initially developed photovoice methodology as a means to hear voices of vulnerable populations and of marginalized experiences, using it in an online format has recently been adapted for application during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this article, I discuss implementing online photovoice in an asynchronous mode. I explore the potent...

Combining motherhood and academic work in higher education has been discussed for decades with the pandemic further exposing the inequalities. This crisis has significantly impacted the daily life of mothers in academia as they devote more time to keep their careers on track, produce papers, and take on other parenting and schooling responsibilitie...

Drawing from Paolo Freire and bell hooks, we reconceptualize the arts-based method (ABR) of body-mapping as a form of Action Research for Transformation (ART) in the higher education classroom. As such, we connect emancipatory education and culturally responsive teaching to propose an emancipatory pedagogy of body-mapping—a form of ART facilitating...

In this collaborative autoethnographic piece, we present voices through critical incident technique replaying the same event at an academic conference, all seeking to understand how and why the disruption of voice occurs and what to do to counter it. We contextualize these experiences in the ideal of "sustainability of qualitative inquiry" through...

This international study examined how to support equity and inclusion for 18 mothers in academia (“motherscholars”). Applying Acker’s theory of gendered organizations as a framework for the study, we recruited participants from Facebook groups for women and mothers in higher education across disciplines and nine countries. To attend to the needs of...

The COVID-19 pandemic crisis exacerbated inequalities in education. Socio-economic status and geographical location of a student has been an underlying factor behind the educational inequalities in Kazakhstan. According to the Minister of Education and UNICEF Kazakhstan (April 22, 2020) 300,000 children didn’t have access to technology and 7398 sch...

What happens when focus groups are conducted in challenging situations across languages, cultures, and educational settings? What adjustments might need to be made? How can adaptations be made while still maintaining the integrity of the research? Drawing on a multi-year study of gender and schooling in post-Soviet Kazakhstan, this article brings t...

In this keynote, Dr. CohenMiller engages audiences to consider the ways in which equity and inclusion are at the center of becoming “better” qualitative researchers. Integrated within the session are self-reflective questions that can be used as tools for current or future research. Using an interactive format, CohenMiller encourages audiences to c...

The COVID-19 pandemic crisis exacerbated inequalities in education. Socio-economic status and geographical location of a student has been an underlying factor behind the educational inequalities in Kazakhstan. Transitioning to remote learning revealed the digital inequalities in education, such as lack of devices, quality of internet connection, an...

This paper analyses how secondary school textbooks enact gender in post-Soviet Kazakhstan. As a ‘gender paradox’, with universal literacy and yet a higher representation of women at the tertiary level co-existing with multi-sectoral gaps at the expense of women, Kazakhstan offers an interesting context to empirically investigate the taken for grant...

This work is driven by issues of gender equality, or lack thereof, in higher education institutions (HEIs). In this report, we focus the discussion on key findings about gender equality in higher education teaching and learning. Specially, we detail a study conducted at an HEI in Kazakhstan, extending research on gender in curriculum (CohenMiller &...

My participants suddenly can’t meet face-to-face, but want to text their responses to me. What do I do? In this chapter, this question as well as others are presented addressing concepts of moving research from face-to-face to virtual spaces. The chapter unpacks considerations for conducting research in online environments and using various platfor...

I know that the arts can help provide a way for participants to give their voice and enhance their agency, but how can I incorporate such a process in my own research? In this chapter, questions emphasize the concepts of arts-based research, collaboration, and co-production. The chapter speaks to conceptualizing arts-based research (ABR) in researc...

What does it mean to research across multicultural contexts? How do I best conduct research within and across such varied contexts? In this chapter, these questions provide a framework for reflecting back on the key topics embedded throughout the book. The chapter emphasizes the importance of non-judgemental, critical self-reflection as a means to...

While there is a known issue of progression of women enrolled in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields in Western nations, the same topic has been under-examined in other contexts. Focusing on Central Asia specifically Post-Soviet Kazakhstan, this chapter presents insights on the topic of gender equity in STEM in Kazakhstan. As s...

What is equity and inclusion in qualitative research? How can we maintain these ideas as embedded approaches for our work? And how can critical self-reflections support these practices? In this talk, I draw from our forthcoming book, Questions in Qualitative Social Justice Research in Multicultural Contexts (CohenMiller & Boivin, Routledge) to expl...

Is it important to work outside my discipline? How do I best work with others from different fields? In this chapter, the concept of crossing disciplinary boundaries is addressed, providing insights for qualitative researchers, particularly when considering multicultural contexts and academic and non-academic knowledge sets. The chapter speaks to e...

I care about social justice, but how do I create a project that incorporates this as a central tenant? In this chapter, questions are presented highlighting the importance of social justice research and transformational research. The chapter unpacks understandings for why to use transformative and decolonial research, the integration of participato...

What exactly is my power and how can I negotiate and mediate it? In this chapter, questions are presented to engage researchers in essential critical self-reflection about the notions of power in qualitative researching a globalizing world. The chapter raises awareness around often-overlooked aspects of researching with marginalized and vulnerable...

With COVID-19, motherscholars face expanded caregiving and lack of institutional policies, making attention to pressing gender-equity issues an imperative for "normal" and unprecedented times. Using Hofstede's (2011) cultural theory and Rich's (1995) feminist theory, this research addresses a historically-underserved population in higher education-...

In this chapter, we explore and examine the concept of rigor in qualitative research with a focus on the Asian context. We guide readers through considering the processes of qualitative research and reflecting on their own work, specifically regarding rigor. Through critical self-reflection, we suggest questions to consider to improve research prac...

This article highlights an experience of "failing" within a qualitative research study. Specifically, the authors speak to the failure of recruiting participants in conducting synchronous video and telephone interviews. Drawing from literature in business and examples from research method texts to demonstrate the cross-disciplinary concerns and ins...

This research occurred in a special context where Kazakhstan's recent decision to switch from Cyrillic to the Latin-based alphabet has resulted in challenges connected to teaching literacy, addressing a rare combination of research hypotheses and technical objectives about language learning. Teachers are not necessarily trained to teach the new alp...

In this presentation, I return to a research study with motherscholars I conducted a few years ago using the lens of creating a sacred space. The original study--involving six motherscholars living across three continents--explored the topic of reducing the conflict between being a mother and a scholar. It used participatory, arts-based methods and...

Photovoice is a participatory action research method allowing for hands-on interaction between lead researcher and participants. During "normal" times, photovoice allows for community development and deep meaning-making as individuals and a group. When normal times turn to those "of disruption," research likewise needs to change to address the need...

In this methodological paper, we examine researcher experience of conducting focus groups in the multicultural context of post-Soviet Kazakhstan. Focus groups involve many moving parts that need attention. This method plays a key role in research in cross-cultural research. As such, focus groups need special attention from researchers to learn how...

Since the early 1980s, the concept and processes of rigor in qualitative research have been discussed and re-evaluated by methodologists and researchers. Recognizing qualitative research as both a science and an art, autoethnography holds a unique space. This study reexamines an evocative autoethnographic study-the first to ever be conducted in Kaz...

This research is situated in a specialized context offering a rarely occurring opportunity for research questions and technical objectives about language acquisition. The Kazakh language transition from Cyrillic to Latin alphabet in Kazakhstan raises challenges to teach the whole population to write and read in the new script. We propose an unique...

Using evocative autoethnography, this presentation provides insights to the robust process of using this novel method to examine the development of teacher identity. (A related video is available that involves an interview and discussion between authors.)

This study applies heartful autoethnography to demonstrate the performance of being a mother in academia. As such, the article addresses (1) motherhood versus mothering, (2) the concepts of presentation of self, passing, and covering, (3) systematic bias mothers face in academic spaces, and (4) the ultimate costs of covering motherhood in academia.

Research methods courses can provide essential opportunities for graduate students to develop themselves as researchers. This article offers insights into the application of creative pedagogy and praxis for a graduate-level qualitative research methods class. Students learned and applied the innovative research method—gender audit as process and me...

For the full presentation and audio, see here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmRBnVcBluo

Educational leader and qualitative methodologist focused on diversity and inclusion in education. Successful at managing international, interdisciplinary teams. Areas of expertise include arts-based research, gender equality throughout the educational pipeline, and teacher professional development. Proven track record of over 15 years adapting to t...

Imagine that you have eight days to teach introduction to qualitative research. What would you include? How would you present the basics? Which readings would you require? How would you keep your students attention throughout each 6-hour day? The challenges of such a condensed course can be stifling but the potential is immense. In this presentatio...

Worldwide mega-events have a significant political purpose, demonstrating various commitments to topics, such as energy conservation and gender equality. Gendered imagery at these major events can provide insight into an organizational or country perspective. The portrayal of people in imagery reinforces ideas and teaches audiences who are allowed...

This integrative review examines arts-informed pedagogy within early childhood education in relation to diversity and inclusion. Research suggests the arts serve as socially just pedagogy, appreciating diversity of student voice and experience whilst facilitating academic ownership and freedom to create inventive ways of knowing and learning. Arts...

This presentation provides an overview of initiatives addressing gender equity and social justice based on empowering individuals through media and information. Details of The Motherscholar Project (www.motherscholar.org) and The Consortium of Gender Scholars (www.gen-con.org) were highlighted.

This chapter examines gender audit as a research method for organizational learning and change in a higher education context in post-Soviet Kazakhstan. This study examined the gender-related practices evident within one key part of the formal curriculum course syllabi. The results of the study provide a first step toward informing gender policy at...

Mothers in academia (“motherscholars”), whether faculty or doctoral students, are confronted by structures and policies often impeding promotion and movement through the academic pipeline. While research has examined these struggles, such as our own research over the last few years, this study addresses these issues from a new perspective — wellbei...

Higher education is moving toward increased online and blended learning formats; however, finding useful resources for such teaching can be challenging. One useful device for integrating multimedia in online and blended teaching is the open video repository (OVR), which principally provides freely accessible curated videos and also often suggestion...

We are happy to present our special issue, “Criminals as Heroes: Problems and Pedagogy in Popular Culture,” guest edited by Kathryn (“Kate”) Lane and Roxie James. In this issue we explore the unique role that the anti-hero has taken in recent years. The changing nature of how criminals are portrayed in popular culture brings us a new understanding...

Key features of open video repositories are outlined, followed by brief description of specific sites relevant to the social sciences. Although most were created by instructors over the past 10 years to facilitate teaching and learning, significant variation in kind, quality, and number per discipline were discovered. Economics and Psychology have...

Embedded in interdisciplinary research, just as in disciplinary research, are statements of purpose, theoretical frameworks, research questions, reviews of literature, methodology, findings, recommendations, and more However, one of the least understood aspects of interdisciplinary research is the interdisciplinary research (IDR) theoretical framew...

Key features of open video repositories are outlined, followed by brief description of specific sites relevant to the social sciences. Although most were created by instructors over the past 10 years to facilitate teaching and learning, significant variations in kind, quality, and number per discipline were discovered. Economics and Psychology have...

Dr. CohenMiller is qualitative methodologist, who examines issues of social justice and equity in education. She uses arts-based approaches to encourage participant voice, to facilitate analysis, and to present results to reach a broader audience. Dr. CohenMiller’s research focuses on issues of gender in higher education and the workplace and on im...

Funded through a UNDP grant, this study sought to demystify the methodological processes to understand gender-related practices evident one University. As such, this presentation examines gender audit as a research method for organizational learning and change in a higher education context in post-Soviet Kazakhstan. Using one key part of the formal...

Text messaging has become a standard form of communication between students. However, how texting can be used in higher education as a pedagogical practice has not been fully explored or articulated. This chapter provides critical insight into the value of text messaging as formal and informal communication both between faculty and students and als...

Dr. CohenMiller is a qualitative research methodologist with a specialization in arts-based research, who examines issues of social justice and equity. She uses arts-based approaches to encourage participant voice, to facilitate analysis, and to present results to reach a larger audience. Dr. CohenMiller's research focuses on issues of gender in hi...

The study sought to uncover how to support mothers in academia. Using a grounded theory approach, we sought to understand best practices and policies for mothers in academia in order to encourage recruitment, retention, and equity for mothers in academia. We recruited mothers from large social media groups, planning to interview everyone via Skype...

This study focused on an experiential graduate-level qualitative research course and a practical study to understand how family-friendliness is conceptualized at an international expatriate university in Kazakhstan. Student researchers worked collaboratively to reflect and engage in a research process including developing interview protocols, trans...

Key features of open video repositories are outlined, followed by brief description of specific sites relevant to the social sciences. Although most were created by instructors over the past 10 years to facilitate teaching and learning, significant variation in kind, quality, and number per discipline were discovered. Economics and Psychology have...

Key features of open video repositories are outlined, followed by brief description of specific sites relevant to the social sciences. Although most were created by instructors over the past 10 years to facilitate teaching and learning, significant variation in kind, quality, and number per discipline were discovered. Economics and Psychology have...

As part of a graduate course on advanced research methods in higher education, our class attended the Eurasian Higher Education Leaders Forum (EHELF) in Astana, Kazakhstan, on June 7-8, 2018. We were challenged to engage in both days of the conference as active participants, thinking deeply about the ways in which the presentations, discussions wit...

Using Facebook to create a participatory, arts-based online focus group, this study had two primary purposes: (1) to examine how mothers in academia present themselves as they transition from doctoral student mother ("DocMama") to full time position as motherscholars and (2) to explore the use of a participatory, arts-based online focus group on Fa...

This article discusses and presents a brief overview for effective teaching strategies within the school or university classroom. As teachers know, teaching is a challenging task. There are many people who may know their subjects very well. However, not everyone is able to convey what he or she knows to others. In fact, despite the fact teachers kn...

This article reconstructs the typical researcher-participant focus - where the participants are doing for us - instead we followed the participants’ lead in the construction of research. Using a qualitative literacy event case study as an example, we describe how participants unexpectedly co-constructed knowledge through a participant-led digital d...

During the Soviet era, the Kazakh language underwent harsh times and was on the brink of extinction from urban areas in Kazakhstan. Today, the country is paving its way towards reviving the language. This article details an effort to support Kazakh language learning in motivating secondary school students through the use of technology. Through the...

Having recently adopted the United Nations Convention of Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Kazakhstan, a former Soviet Republic located in Central Asia, is currently in a position to find ways to increase accessibility and encourage inclusiveness in education. This paper describes the combined efforts of Nazarbayev University’s Library and Gradu...

Our team presented preliminary findings from a mixed methods study about the ways student and alumni participants in the NUGSE Research in Education student-run journal develop research competence through their participation in the journal. In broad terms, journal participants valued the opportunities to collaborate with peers and mentors though th...

This presentation explores the ways in which friendship (Tillmann-Healy, 2003, 2006) can be conceptualized as a facilitator for research methodology. Over the course of seven months, two researchers living halfway across the world developed a research collaboration based upon a common experience and identification, as mothers in academia, to study...

In this article I explain the process and benefits of using visual arts as a tool within a transcendental phenomenological study. I present and discuss drawings created and described by four participants over the course of twelve interviews. Findings suggest the utility of visual arts methods within the phenomenological toolset to encourage partici...

This project explores gender-based leadership barriers experienced by Kazakhstani female executives. The project outcomes contribute to a better understanding of what barriers women face in the workplace and are useful as organizations around the world seek to be more inclusive and supportive of women.

The goal of the presentation is to present reports by doctoral students who are also mothers to understand how they experience parenthood and doctoral studies, in order to describe what impact parenting has not only on the course of the doctoral studies of these women but also on their staying in the academic environment.

Nazarbayev University in Kazakhstan is an emerging research higher education institution seeking to meet the world standards not only through the high quality academic programmes and teaching, but also through providing its community with an environment that enables them to balance their work and family. This paper reports on a qualitative research...

In this presentation, we presented an introduction to effective teaching strategies at higher education institutions. Key aspects included using backward design to develop learning outcomes and cooperative learning techniques.

This article adds to the dialogue on multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary research, providing definitions and practical steps for using interdisciplinary educational research to enhance cultural awareness. Informed by a research study conducted by seven primary researchers situated in the U.K. and Kazakhstan, along with local partners, we sought...

Objectives This paper examines the Kazakhstan Leadership Professional Development Program that was developed and instituted since 2014. The objectives are threefold: (1) to examine the effectiveness of the PDP, (2) to analyze how have PDPs trainees have been practicing their learning in their home institutions, and (3) to offer recommendations for...

This paper examines how school psychologists from mainstream secondary schools in Kazakhstan perceive their role in relation to the maintenance of students’ psychological and emotional wellbeing. It also discusses some of the major challenges school psychologists face in their daily practice in this role. The research is part of a larger 2-year pro...

In 2014, I conducted a dissertation research study on doctoral students who became mothers for the first time during their program of study. I was such a student, although I did not include myself in that initial study. I studied these new “DocMama’s” to try to help them and to help others as I had found myself struggling through personal and struc...

Having recently adopted the United Nations Convention of Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Kazakhstan, a former Soviet Republic located in Central Asia, is currently in a position to find ways to increase accessibility and encourage inclusiveness in education. This paper describes the combined efforts of Nazarbayev University’s Library and Gradu...

Traditionally, mobile assisted language learning (MALL) studies have concentrated on classroom practices (Duman, Orhon, & Gedik, 2015). However, with the influx of cheap mobile and smart technology these devices are becoming accessible even in urban centers in developing nations. Therefore, technology and language learning is not just occurring in...