Constructing a sociological biography: A surprisingly complex autobiographical practice

Abstract

Biographical statements are an important part of impressions management in the academic milieu. These statements provide an online presence, accompany our academic products, and represent us in the academy. This becomes a high stakes activity, which can be quite anxiety provoking. As a qualitative sociologist with a particular interest in auto/ biography, producing such a statement really ought to be easy - putting into words: who I am, what I do, and where I am currently located. However, writing sociological biographies requires a fine balance, particularly during the early career phase, when we may be juggling projects, research directions and institutions. An additional concern is that of selecting the appropriate “voice,” which of course can vary depending on the nature of the journal, conference, or other destination for the biography. In this article I draw on examples from my own autobiographical experiences to explore the dilemmas faced when constructing academic biographies.