Writing hegemonic masculinities: 'My Brother's War' and its exegesis

Applying 'theory' to the creative process is an emerging field in humanities and social science research; the evolution and recognition of this 'practice-led research' is a major innovation in academic research circles. This PhD project uses both a creative thesis and a critical exegesis in its practice-led research exploration of 'hegemonic masculinities', a sociological framework not previously applied as a writer's tool. By deploying R. W. Connell's hegemonic masculinities to research and writing, both creative and academic, both thesis and exegesis presents insights into how theory informs and enriches the creative practitioner by making explicit the dynamics of the creative research process. The project traces the performative, social, and contextual confluences between theory and creativity, and highlights the basis of my self-reflexive understanding of hegemonic masculinities, especially as an artistic practice.