Lecturers Page Dr. Gabriela Spector-Mersel

Dr. Gabriela Spector-Mersel

ד"ר גבריאלה ספקטור-מרזל היא מרצה בכירה בבית הספר לעבודה סוציאלית במכללה האקדמית ספיר.היא מכהנת כראש קבוצות העניין במחקר איכותני ומנחה קבוצת חוקרות במחקר נרטיבי במכון מופ"ת. מחקריה עוסקים בזיקנה ומגדר, זהות נרטיבית, ורפלקציה.

Gabriela Spector-Mersel, PhD, is a senior lecturer in the school of social work at Sapir College. She is the Chairperson of the interest group in Qualitative Research and advisor of narrative research interest groups, in Mofet institute. Her research interests include narrative identity, narrative gerontology, narrative analysis and life story reflection. She has published papers and chapters in these fields and authored the book, Sabras Don't Age: Life Stories of Senior Officers from Israel’s 1948 Generation (Magnes). She also co-edited the first comprehensive book in Hebrew on narrative research, titled, Narrative Research: Theory, Production and Interpretation (2010, Magnes and Mofet).

Areas of interest and Teaching

Areas of interest

  • gerontology
  • narrative theory and methodology
  • life story reflection
  • later life masculinities
  • narrative gerontology

Teaching

Hebrew lective year: תשפד

Research

Research in progress

Life stories and perceptions of life and self of Israeli older adults (with I. Regev)
Aging in the shadow of a continuous security threat in times of COVID-19: Cumulative traumatic situation (with O. Nuttman-Shwarz) 
Narratives of dignity in home hospice care (with G. Yaakov)

The experience of COVID-19 among holocaust survivors who immigrated from the former Sovier Union (with N. Khvorostianov)



 

Awards

2005

Prochovnic Award for the best research on aging, Israeli Gerontological Society

2008

The Excellent qualitative research award, The Israeli association for researching the multidimensional person

2009-2010

Post-Doctoral fellowship, The ISEF Foundation

2009-2011  

Post-Doctoral fellowship, Israeli Council for higher education (Planning & budgeting committee), and Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Israel

*2018

Outstanding Lecturer, School of Social Work, Sapir Academic College

*2018

Outstanding researcher, Sapir Academic College

*2019

Outstanding Lecturer, School of Social Work, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel

*2019

Excellence faculty award, Sapir Academic College

*2020

Excellence faculty award, Sapir Academic College

*2021

Excellence faculty award, Sapir Academic College

Publications

Spector-Mersel, G. & Ben-Asher, S. (2022). Styles of narrative selection in crafting life stories. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 19(1), 43-64.  https://doi.org/10.1080/14780887.2018.1545064

Spector-Mersel, G. (2021) Narrative interpretation and the selection mechanisms model. In M. Lavie-Ajai and D. Lavie Tobin (Eds.), Conversations on qualitative research (pp. 232-253). Mofet (Hebrew). https://store.macam.ac.il/store/books/3604/

Szeintuch, S., Spector-Mersel, G., Maor, T., Metzer, R. (2021, Advanced access). “I was born into a nightmare”: The chaotic life trajectories of young homeless women. Journal of the Society for Social Work and Research.   

https://doi.org/10.1086/717072

Spector-Mersel, G. & Gilbar, O. (2021). From Military Masculinity towards Hybrid Masculinities: Constructing a New Sense of Manhood among Veterans Treated for PTSS. Men and Masculinities, 24(5), 862-883. 

https://doi.org/10.1177/1097184X211038049

Spector-Mersel, G. (2021). Ageism. In U. Ram, S. Svirsky and N. Berkoviz (Eds.), The Sociological Lexicon for Corona times (p. 45-46)Israeli Sociology and Adva Center. (Hebrew).  https://adva.org/he/lexicon-corona/

 

Spector-Mersel, G. (2021). Life story reflection in human professions education: Theoretical and practical considerations. In N. Dvir & A. Gidron (Eds.), Narrative pedagogy (pp. 31-50). Mofet (Hebrew).

https://store.macam.ac.il/store/books/3205/

 

Ben-Asher, S. & Spector-Mersel, G. (2021). Growth and pain in life-story reflection of students in helping professions. Teaching in Higher Education. 

     https://doi.org/10.1080/13562517.2021.1911989

Hochman, Y & Spector-Mersel, G. (2020) Three strategies for narrative resistance: Navigating between master narratives. British Journal of Social Psychology, 59, 1043-1061.  

      https://doi.org/10.1111/bjso.12376

Gilbar, O., Dekel, R. & Spector-Mersel, G. & Levy, O. (2019). The crisis in achieving a sense of manhood among Israeli military veterans who suffer from posttraumatic stress symptoms. Psychology of Men & Masculinity20(1), 93-103. https://psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.1037/men0000148

Spector-Mersel, G. (2018). Guest Editor`s introduction: Specialissue: Narrative inquiry in Israeli society. Israel Studies in Language and Society, 11(2), 8-35.

Spector-Mersel, G. (2018). The masculine identities of senior officers from 48` generation: A non-aging masculinity. Welfare & Society,38(2), 369-399. (Hebrew). 

Gilbar, O., Spector-Mersel, G., Levi, O. & Dekel, R. (2018).Between crisis and transformation: Masculine identity among veterans who suffer from posttraumatic stress symptoms due to participation in combat. Welfare & Society, 38(2), 401-427. (Hebrew). 

Spector-Mersel, G. & Knaifel, Y. (2017). Narrative research on mental health recovery: Two sister paradigms. Journal of Mental Health, 27(4), 298-306. 

https://doi.org/10.1080/09638237.2017.1340607

Spector-Mersel, G. (2017). Life story reflection in social work education: A practical model. Journal of Social Work Education, 53(2), 286-299.   

https://doi.org/10.1080/10437797.2016.1243498

Spector-Mersel, G. (2014). “I was… Until… Since then…”: Exploring the mechanisms of selection in a tragic narrative. Narrative Works, 4(1), 19-48.  https://journals.lib.unb.ca/index.php/NW/article/view/21572

Spector-Mersel, G. (2014). Guest Editor`s introduction: Multiplicity and commonality in narrative interpretation. Narrative Works, 4(1), 1-18. 

https://journals.lib.unb.ca/index.php/NW/article/view/21571/25057 

Spector-Mersel, G. & Doron, I. (2014). Guest Editors` introduction: Aging in Israel: Research and practice. Society &Welfare, 34(2), 147-151. (Hebrew).

Spector-Mersel, G. (2012). The story is not the whole story: The narrative identity card. Megamot, 48(2), 227-250. (Hebrew).

Spector-Mersel, G. (2012). The question of truth and narrative research. In N. Barzel (Ed.), Memory, culture, and the therapeutic discourse (pp. 9-14). Oranim College. (Hebrew).

Spector-Mersel, G. (2011). Mechanisms of selection in claiming narrative identities: A model for interpreting narratives. Qualitative Inquiry, 17(2), 172-185. 

https://doi.org/10.1177%2F1077800410393885

Spector-Mersel, G. (2011). Narrative research as an interpretive paradigm. Shvilei Mechkar, 17, 63-72. (Hebrew). http://library.macam.ac.il/study/pdf_files/d10593.pdf

Spector-Mersel, G. (2011). Guest Editor. Shvilei Mechkar, 17. Special issue: Qualitative Research. (Hebrew).

Spector-Mersel, G. (2010). Narrative research: Time for a Paradigm. Narrative Inquiry, 20(1), 205-225. https://doi.org/10.1075/ni.20.1.10spe

Spector-Mersel, G. (2010). Narrative research and social work. Society & Welfare, 30(1), 75-110. (Hebrew). 

Spector-Mersel, G. (2010). Old age in Israel as a cultural phenomenon. Adult Education in Israel11, 15-34.

Tuval-Mashiach, R & Spector-Mersel, G. (Eds.). (2010). Narrative research: Theory, production and interpretation. The Hebrew University Magnes Press and Mofet. (Hebrew).

Spector-Mersel, G. (2010). Mechanisms of selection in claiming astoried identity. In L. Kacen & M. Krumer-Nevo (Eds), Analyzing data in qualitative research (pp. 63-96). Ben-Gurion University of the Negev. (Hebrew).

Spector-Mersel, G. (2010). From a Narrative perspective towards a narrative paradigm. In R. Tuval-Mashiach & G. Spector-Mersel(Eds.), Narrative research: Theory, production and interpretation (pp.45-80). Magnes and Mofet. (Hebrew).

Tuval-Mashiach, R, & Spector-Mersel, G. (2010).Introduction: Narrative research – Definitions and contexts. In R.Tuval-Mashiach & G. Spector-Mersel (Eds.), Narrative research: Theory, production and interpretation (pp. 7-42).  Magnes and Mofet (Hebrew).

Spector-Mersel, G. (2008). Sabras don't age: Life stories of senior officers from 1948`s generation. The Hebrew University Magnes Press. (Hebrew). 

Spector-Mersel, G. (2006). Never-aging stories: Western hegemonic masculinity scripts. Journal of Gender Studies, 15(1), 67-82. 

 https://doi.org/10.1080/09589230500486934

Spector-Mersel, G. (2006). Israeli old age: Three sources of meaning. Gerontology, 33(2), 11-34. (Hebrew). 

 

Presentations

Selected Lectures and Presentations

 Spector-Mersel, G. (August, 2021).Older adults under fire in times of COVID-19: Cumulative traumatic situation. The ministry of Science and Technology, Israel.

 Spector-Mersel, G. (April, 2021). Life story reflection among students for educational counseling: An evaluative study, Mofet Institute, Tel-Aviv, Israel.

Spector-Mersel, G. (September, 2020). Aging, gender, feminism: A research perspective. Between sexism and agism: Issues in Feminist Gerontology, Webinar, Israel.

Spector-Mersel, G. (February, 2020). "There`s no young-old. We`re all students: Older individuals` experience of participating in an intergenerational academic course, The 23rd. biennial conference of the Israel Gerontological Society, Tel-Aviv, Israel

 Spector-Mersel, G. (February, 2020). Encounters from the intergenerational kind: Changes in professional perspectives, knowledge and values among social work students studying in an intergenerational academic course, The 23rd. biennial conference of the Israel Gerontological Society, Tel-Aviv, Israel.

 Spector-Mersel, G. (June, 2019). The pain in growing: Reflection on life story reflection in pedagogic training, Kaye Academic College, Beer-Sheva

Spector-Mersel, G. (July, 2018). Life story reflection in forming human services professionals. Narrative Matters, Enschede, The Netherlands.

Spector-Mersel, G. & Ben-Asher, S. (July, 2018). Styles of narrative selection in crafting life stories. Narrative Matters, Enschede, The Netherlands.

Spector-Mersel, G. & Regev, I. (February, 2018). A dialogue with time: A retrospective journey between life-times following a joint academic course to young and older students. The 22nd biennial conference of the Israel Gerontological Society, Tel Aviv.

Spector-Mersel, G. (February, 2018). Life story reflection in human professions` education. The 7th Israeli conference for Qualitative Research, Beer Sheva.

Spector-Mersel, G. (February, 2018). Identifying the mechanisms of selection as a method for analyzing narratives. The 7th Israeli conference for Qualitative Research, Beer Sheva.

Gilbar, O., Spector-Mersel, G. & Sa`ar-Heyman, Y. (February, 2018). How to respond to the needs of Doctoral students conducting qualitative research? A dialogic session. The 7th Israeli conference for Qualitative Research, Beer Sheva.

Ben Asher, S. & Spector-Mersel, G. (February, 2018). The art of crafting life stories. The 7th Israeli conference for Qualitative Research, Beer Sheva.

Spector-Mersel, G. (June, 2017). Enhancing life story reflection in social work education: Theoretical and practical considerations. EASSW-UNAFORIS, Social work education in Europe: Challenging boundaries, promoting a sustainable future, Paris, France.

Spector-Mersel, G. (November, 2017). Growing old without being old: A-integration among Sabra elderly. The 19th conference of social workers, Tel-Aviv.

Spector-Mersel, G. & Regev, I. (October, 2017). Students and veterans from Gaza envelope learning development: A qualitative evaluation research. Sapir College academic faculty conference: Research exposure day, Sderot.

Spector-Mersel, G. (June, 2017). "Since then I'm bound to the chair": Narrative time and physical disability in a life story of Sabra Older man. Somatic Times, Jerusalem, Israel.

Gilbar, O, Dekel, R, Spector-Mersel, G & Levy, O. (May, 2017). The crisis in masculine identity among Israeli military veterans who suffer from PTSS. International conference on trauma and mental health, Jerusalem, Israel.

Spector-Mersel, G. (December, 2016). Caregiving for the older person by family members: An inter-cultural view. Familial Panorama: A conference on family members caring for the older person. Sapir Academic College, Sderot (Hebrew).

Spector-Mersel, G. (November, 2016). Preserving a masculine self in face of illness and disability: The case of older Sabra men. International conference on narratives of health and illness, Tenerife, Spain.

Spector-Mersel, G. (June, 2016). Sabra identity against “others”: Senior Officers of 1948 in Later Life. The 32nd Annual Conference of the Association for Israel Studies, Jerusalem, Israel.

Spector-Mersel, G. (March, 2016). Re-thinking ethics in narrative research: The case of biographical research with older adults. The 3rd International Irish Narrative Inquiry Conference, Galway, Ireland.

Spector-Mersel, G. (March, 2015). Life story reflection stimulating socio-political engagement: A three-phased model. Life History and Biography Network, ESREA – European Society for Research on the Education of Adults, Milano, Italy.

Spector-Mersel, G. (February, 2016). Silencing, omission and “appropriate” meaning attribution: Between the what and the why in narrative analysis. The 7th Israeli conference for Qualitative Research, Beer Sheva.

Spector-Mersel, G. (February, 2016). Life stories and identity needs among Israeli older adults. The 21st biennial conference of the Israel Gerontological Society, Tel Aviv.

Spector-Mersel, G. (January, 2016). Loneliness among older adults in Western Negev`s settlements. Challenges and opportunities unique to Social Work in peripheral areas: Roundtable (panel moderator and presentation), Sapir College.

Spector-Mersel, G. (June, 2014), (Still) exploring big stories: The narrative identity card. Narrative Matters, Paris, France.

Spector-Mersel, G. (February, 2014). Life story reflection in social work education: An application of narrative analysis. The 6th Israeli conference for Qualitative Research, Beer Sheva.

Gilbar, O., Dekel, R. and Spector-Mersel, G. (February, 2014). Navigating between identities: A proposal for a parallel process in post-traumatic growth. The 6th Israeli conference for Qualitative Research, Beer Sheva.

Spector-Mersel, G. (January, 2014). Life story research with older people: Reconsidering research ethics. The 20th biennial conference of the Israel Gerontological Society, Tel Aviv.

Spector-Mersel, G. (September, 2013). A-integration and the never-aging masculinity scripts (roundtable: Theorizing masculinities and ageing). British Gerontological Society, Oxford, England.

Spector-Mersel, G. (December, 2012). Narratives of coping (plenary lecture). Conference for the international day of people with disability, The open University, Ra`anana (Hebrew).

Spector-Mersel, G. (May, 2012). Mechanisms of selection in claiming narrative identities. Narrative Matters, Paris, France.

Stern Perez, A., & Spector-Mersel, G. (May, 2012). Retelling, reprocessing, and resilience: An analytical tool for comparative assessment of narratives of trauma. Narrative Matters, Paris, France.

Spector-Mersel, G. (February, 2012). Reflective discourse: Conceptualization and practice (plenary lecture). A national learning day, Ministry of Education. Mofet, Tel-Aviv (Hebrew).

Spector-Mersel, G. (February, 2012). Maintaining an adult and masculine identity among Israeli men from 1948`s generation who employ a foreign home worker. The 19th biennial conference of the Israel Gerontological Society, Tel Aviv.

Spector-Mersel, G. (February, 2012). Mechanisms of selection in claiming a narrative identity. The 5th Israeli conference for Qualitative Research, Beer Sheva.

Spector-Mersel, G. (February, 2012). Post-conference workshop: Mechanisms of selection in storied identities: A method for analyzing narratives. The 5th Israeli conference for Qualitative Research, Beer Sheva.

 

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