Gebbels, Maria ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9623-2655 (2026) Blue spaces and the art of being: finding stillness in the tides of (an academic’s) life. In: Rydzik, Agnieszka and Gebbels, Maria ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9623-2655, (eds.) Central and Eastern European Women Academics in the UK: Making Britain Home. Routledge, London, pp. 59-64. ISBN 978-1032987880 (doi:10.4324/9781003608813)

PDF (Author's Accepted Manuscript) 52724 GEBBELS_Blue_Spaces_And_The_Art_Of_Being_(AAM BOOK CHAPTER)_2026.pdf - Accepted Version Restricted to Repository staff only until 20 September 2027. Available under License Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial No Derivatives. Download (199kB) | Request a copy

Abstract

Water, whether in seas, rivers, or bathtubs, has been a companion in my life journey, and more recently, it has helped me to recentre and find stillness, both physically, emotionally and spiritually. In this reflective essay, I draw on the concept of blue spaces as a site of memory, connection and healing to make sense of my life in England as a Polish woman/academic/mother/wife/other. To deepen this reflective essay, I include short pieces of writing throughout, inspired by Bernardine Evaristo’s ‘fusion fiction’ style of writing and storytelling, devoid of conventional grammar and spelling rules. By using this approach, I wish to invite you, the reader, to (re)take these significant journeys with me, while also encouraging greater freedom and creativity in reflective writing.

Item Type:	Book Section
Uncontrolled Keywords:	blue spaces, fusion fiction, belonging, home, stillness, creative writing
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General) L Education > L Education (General)
Faculty / School / Research Centre / Research Group:	Greenwich Business School Greenwich Business School > School of Management and Marketing Greenwich Business School > Tourism and Marketing Research Centre (TMRC)
Related URLs:	Publisher
Last Modified:	26 Mar 2026 09:30
URI:	https://gala.gre.ac.uk/id/eprint/52724

Actions (login required)

View Item

Downloads