Systemic Action Research: A Strategy for Whole System ChangeSystemic Action Research works with real social and organisational issues to uncover their complex dynamics, often revealing unexpected opportunities. This book shows how this process can be integrated, in any context, to the process of social and organisational development and change. The book explains how systemic thinking works and how Systemic Action Research can be embedded into organisational structures and processes to catalyse sustainable change and critical local interventions. Practically written, it details how to design a programme and build it directly into policy and practice development, extending the possibilities of action research beyond the 'individual' and the 'group' to work across whole organisations, multi agency governance arenas, and networks. The book is filled with illustrative stories and pictures which bring the concepts to life enabling the reader to develop a clear picture of how to put it into practice.Systemic Action Research programmes are now being adopted in Government and local governance contexts as well as in national and international NGOs. This book will be invaluable for experienced action researchers as well as social science and social policy researchers who will benefit from an approach to qualitative research which is participative, grounded in practice and allows systemic understandings of complex problems. Policy makers and practitioners will appreciate a process which generates meaningful evidence about the dynamics of change and offers a tangible system for continuously integrating that learning into both formal and informal decision-making. |
Contents
one Action research | 11 |
three Working across systems | 41 |
four Some systemic action research projects explored | 55 |
five Some design principles for systemic action research | 85 |
six Practices of systemic action inquiry | 103 |
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Common terms and phrases
action inquiry action learning action research facilitators action research process action research projects approach articulated boundaries British Red Cross build challenge Chapter Children’s Fund complex connections context conversation crucial dialogue discussion distributed leadership domestic abuse domestic violence dynamics effect embedded emerge enable engage ethical evaluation example explore focus Greenwood and Levin happening Hartcliffe identified impact important improvisation individual initiatives inquiry group inquiry process inquiry streams insight interaction interrelationships interventions involved issues Kenya Kikuyus Knowle West large events large system action learning means networks outcomes participants peer research Percy-Smith picture possibilities practice problem programme relationship resonance role sessions social and organisational social norms SOLAR space stakeholders started stories strategic Sure Start Susan Susan Weil systemic action research systemic inquiry systemic patterns systemic thinking talk things understand Welsh Assembly Government wider Withywood