Jan Gelech is a graduate student at the University of Saskatchewan.

I would like to thank the Constructivist Psychology Network for awarding me the 2008 Student Paper Award for Two Steps Forward and One Step Back: A Look at Discourses of Gain and Loss in Acquired Brain Injury Narratives.  Though constructivist/constructionist approaches represent extremely inventive and rewarding forms of research, to engage in such endeavours is to remove yourself from mainstream psychology in a way which can be both isolating and challenging.  To participate in the conference in Victoria was an honour and a privilege and to receive an award in the context of such talented and innovative peers is truly an honour.  To my knowledge, this paper represents the first research article to approach the topic of “post-traumatic growth” as a narrative process of world remaking following a major life crisis.  I hope that those who read my paper and attended my presentation will consider the importance of narrative processes in the context of their own work and also be inspired to explore the cultural aspects of their own fields of interest.  Again, thank you for this award and good luck with your own research projects.

Jan M. Gelech