Beyond the Page: Literature as a Catalyst for Identity and Resistance

<p dir="ltr">This poster, <i>Beyond the Page: Literature as a Catalyst for Identity and Resistance</i>, presents research exploring how Black Caribbean heritage male students experience and respond to literature texts at Key Stage 4 (KS4). The study investigates how these experiences influence students’ sense of self, engagement with learning and critical reflection on their communities and wider society.</p><p dir="ltr">Using Critical Race Theory (CRT) as a guiding framework, the research challenges deficit narratives that have historically portrayed Black Caribbean boys as disengaged or underachieving. It highlights the limitations of Eurocentric GCSE literature curricula and repositions literature as a tool for identity formation, resistance and empowerment.</p><p dir="ltr"><b>Key Features:</b></p><ul><li><b>Research Questions:</b> Focus on students' perceptions of literature, its influence on their learning experiences and how it shapes their identity and worldview.</li><li><b>Methodology:</b> Participatory narrative interviews conducted in culturally affirming heterotopic spaces, supported by creative, multimodal tools that enabled students to reflect on and express their reader identities. Illustrated images depict participants’ engagement and relationship with reading.</li><li><b>Findings: </b>A composite counter-narrative titled <i>"Unmasking Jekyll and Hyde"</i>, developed from participants’ direct quotes during interviews, critiques how literary characters such as Hyde are racialised and portrayed as 'other' – highlighting how difference itself is often demonised, both in canonical texts and in wider society.</li><li><b>Audio Component:</b> The poster includes a link to an audio representation of the counter-narrative, produced using AI-synthesised voices to preserve participant anonymity. The story is semi-fictional, created using direct quotes from participants, and blends creative narration with authentic reflections. It was developed with informed consent, ensuring participant voices remain protected while conveying the depth of their experiences. The audio is also provided here as a separate file.</li><li><b>PDF Component: </b>A written transcript of the audio recording is available in PDF format.</li><li><b>Call to Action:</b> Advocates for inclusive curriculum reform that affirms marginalised identities and encourages educators to centre student voice, race, and critical storytelling within literature education.</li></ul><p dir="ltr"><b>Conference Presentation:</b><br>This poster was presented at the Edge Hill University Faculty of Education Conference: <i>Improving Life Chances and Making Hope Possible Through Education</i>, held on 17th July 2025</p>