On June 2, the Inspire Research Series @ FSAS concluded its 2025–2026 academic year with its fifth meeting, featuring Lisa E. Cox (Stockton University, USA), Fulbright Teaching Specialist at Babeș-Bolyai University. Dedicated to Guided Autobiography (GAB), the lecture offered participants an engaging introduction to a narrative method widely used in gerontology, social work, education, and community-based programs.

Developed by pioneering gerontologist James Birren, Guided Autobiography is an evidence-based life-story method that encourages participants to reflect on significant life experiences through structured autobiographical writing and group discussion. Throughout the lecture, Lisa Cox explored the theoretical foundations and practical applications of the method, highlighting its potential as a reflective practice and as a valuable tool for research, teaching, and community engagement.

Rather than simply learning about the method, participants had the opportunity to experience it firsthand through a micro-memoir exercise that invited us to reflect on resilience, life transitions, and meaningful personal experiences, using health as a lens through which to explore memory, identity, and vulnerability. The session offered a valuable reminder that storytelling is not only a way of remembering the past, but also a way of making sense of who we are, how we navigate vulnerability, and how we connect with others.

Drawing on decades of experience as a social worker, gerontologist, educator, and Certified Guided Autobiography Instructor, Lisa introduced us to the rich international tradition of Guided Autobiography and to its applications across diverse populations and settings. The presentation also opened broader discussions on autobiographical memory, narrative identity, ageing, resilience, and the role of stories in meaning-making.

One of the ideas that resonated strongly throughout the meeting was that once we know the stories of others, they are no longer strangers to us. In this sense, the event was not exclusively about a research and educational methodology, but also about empathy, listening, and the transformative potential of sharing life stories.

We warmly thank Lisa Cox for an inspiring and thought-provoking lecture, and for helping us conclude this year’s Inspire Research Series with a session that combined methodological insight, personal reflection, and meaningful dialogue.