The Supermodel Astronaut Challenge: traversing frames of mind

• Published in: Qualitative research journal Vol. 19; no. 4; pp. 415 - 425
• Main Authors: Glasser, Leanne, Young, Emily, Sameshima, Pauline
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Armidale Emerald Publishing Limited 11.11.2019; Emerald Group Publishing Limited
• Subjects: Astronauts; Confidence; Curricula; Education; Empowerment; Learning; Music; Oppression; Power; Researchers; Self esteem; Social exclusion; Social networks; Society; Students; Video production; Women; Qualitative research; Feminism; Education; Arts education
• ISSN: 1443-9883; 1448-0980
• DOI: 10.1108/QRJ-02-2019-0023

Purpose The Supermodel Astronaut (SMA) Challenge began with a group of women in a graduate class who joined together to take the pledge “I Am Enough.” The goals of the pledge are to practice positive affirmative actions of self-acceptance, self-grace, self-improvement and positive encouragement of oneself and others. The paper aims to discuss this issue. Design/methodology/approach The SMA Challenge involves an online video pledge to encourage women and girls to demonstrate their opposition to the promotion of singular ideals of body perpetuated through media. Various individuals and groups have created music videos titled SMA to the soundtrack created by Ellen Tift (the originator of the project). Findings Here, framed by Daignault’s (1983) theories on curriculum construction, the authors critically reflect on their support of the idea of the video, but also their apprehension and insecurities in participating in the video production. Originality/value From reflections, writings and dialogic discussions, they determined five embodied frames of mind that supported them in traversing the liminal space of new learning: imagining the possible, learning in doing, settling in vulnerability, journeying through empowerment and heightening self-reflection.