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IDEAS, NEWS AND RESOURCES | October 2018
We hope you enjoy receiving our newsletter which includes constructionist ideas and practices as well as news and resources from the Taos Institute.
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Brief Encounters with The Taos Institute
October 2018
This month we welcome Ken Gergen as he shares his thoughts on Research over the years and movement toward Relational Research.
My Route to Relational Research in Four Parts
On Sept. 25 - 26, 2018, the Taos Institute hosted a 2-day virtual symposium which was designed and facilitated by the Relational Research Network on the topic of Relational Research Practices: Challenges and Opportunities. Ken Gergen presented the opening keynote talk with Sheila McNamee. They were asked to share how they see that research has changed over the years. These are some of Ken's thoughts shared in the keynote and captured by Kermit Cole.
Social Construction
The constructionist dialogues question the idea of philosophical foundations of science and knowledge.
What we call science and knowledge are constructed within a culture to achieve ends that are important for them at a given time.
We may also abandon the assumption of universal truth - true regardless of culture.
We are thus invited to raise new questions about what we are trying to accomplish in our research and why.
Much traditional social science research was trying to predict, but that's a very limited way of looking at what our aims could be. What if we wished to use our research to give voice to people who could not be heard, or help a group of people achieve social justice?
You cannot separate such questions from matters of value.
In evaluating research we may thus take a stance of reflective pragmatism. What are we trying to achieve pragmatically, and what are the value implications?
Pluralism
The preceding ideas open us to the possibility that all forms of research have a place in the social sciences. The idea of a universal method is strangulating.
So why not phenomenology, action research, autoethnography, performance, and so on? And we should welcome all forms of indigenous research. Asking always, what is being accomplished in these various endeavors and with what value?
The rubric of "qualitative research" is currently used to refer to an enormous array of research approaches, including all those just mentioned. In effect, the qualitative research movement fosters pluralism, and indirectly a constructionist view of knowledge.
Relational Theory
Relational theory for me is an attempt to move beyond the construction of the social world in terms of individual persons.
[2]
Relational theory tries to elaborate a space of understanding in which we see relational process as that which gives rise to what we take to be real, rational, and good. This includes the very concept of independent persons or selves.
We may place the highest value on the well-being of this process as it represents the source of all meaningful action. When the process is nurtured, so do we co-create flourishing worlds for all.
We may thus ask, when we carry out research, how does it create, support, or enrich, the process of relating? How do our practices of research contribute to relational well-being?
For example, how am I relating as a researcher to the people who are the focus of the research? Traditional empirical research places a distance between the observer and the observed, between the subject and the object. Would it not be better in terms of relational well-being to work collaboratively?
As well, what is the audience for this research, and how do I relate to this audience? Is my audience limited to only a closed circle of professionals in a competition for place and space? Or, can my inquiry be shared with a global audience, written (or performed) in such a way that it can be understood and appreciated?
And what
are the implications of the research for our lives together; do we create mutual understanding, for example, as opposed to alienation and distrust?
Thus, there is no specific relational methodology or practice of research. Rather, we are talking about an orientation to research with a particular value perspective.
Future Building
Let us think of research not as a report on the world as it is, but as a way of creating the future.
Thus we ask, how can we use research to create futures that we care about?
Collaborative action research is only one path to creating a future in which relational well-being may be nurtured. But we could have a rich dialogue on other ways to think about research as future building. I would welcome such an exchange.
[1]
With appreciation to Kermit Cole.
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Taos Institute Events and Gatherings
The Many Ways to Get Involved...So many exciting learning opportunities coming up...We hope you take a look here...
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The Taos Institute Silver Jubilee
Exploring 25 Years of Innovation in Social Construction around the World
A Conference and a Celebration!
November 8 - 10, 2018
(Pre-conference Nov. 7-8)
We hope you will plan to join in the celebration and conference.
Registration prices increase on October 1st, so register now.
Cancun, Mexico
Join in as together, WE:
- Celebrate the Taos Institute's Silver Anniversary
- Explore 25 years of innovation in social construction theory and practice
- Learn along side creative practitioners from more than 20 countries
- Meet colleagues and friends from around the world
- Welcome a new generation of scholars and practitioners
- Create opportunities for dialogue, sharing practices, performance and fun!
We hope you will join us and bring others with you who are new to social construction and relational practice - student, colleague, co-worker, friend!
Let's co-create the future and engage with the next generation!
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Taos Workshops
- Designing Crazy Patchworks: Co-creating collaborative research with Celiane Camargo Borges and Jasmina Sermijn
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Social Construction, Relational Theory and Transformative Practices, with Sheila McNamee and Harlene Anderson
Taos Online Courses
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NEW
- An Inquiry into Relational Leading Practice,
an 8-week online course,
with Ginny Belden-Charles
- Social Construction: Premises and Promises - a 6-week online course, with Celiane Camargo-Borges
Friends of the Taos Institute Workshops and Events
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6-week Online Course with
Ken and Mary Gergen
EXPLORING RELATIONAL THEORY AND PRACTICES
- MONDAY, NOVEMBER 5 TO DECEMBER 10, 2018
About the Presenters:
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Kenneth J. Gergen, Research Professor in Psychology, Swarthmore College; President of the Taos Institute; Internationally known author, noted for his work on social constructionist and relational theory.
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Mary Gergen
, Professor Emerita, Psychology & Women's Studies; Penn State University, Brandywine; Author and editor of works in social construction, feminist theory, and arts-based inquiry.
About the Course:
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Relational theory now provides cutting edge ideas relevant to practices across the professions. The major theoretical shift is from the traditional focus on individuals to the relational processes that are co-produced. This 6-week online course introduces common premises and orienting ideas central to relational theory. The course consists of six modules with online conference meetings, readings, videos and online dialogues.
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Weekly live calls, readings, videos, activities, learning partner conversations, online learning platform with weekly commenting.
- Week 1 Monday, Nov. 5 - Module 1: Relational Theory: Why Now?
- Week 2 - Mon. Nov. 12 - Module 2: The Mind as Relationship
- Week 3 - Mon. Nov. 19 - Module 3: Multi-being: Ourselves with Others
- Week 4 - Mon. Nov 26 - Module 4: Dialogue: In Theory and Practice
- Week 5 - Mon. Dec. 3 - Module 5: Putting Relational Theory to Work
- Week 6 - Mon. Dec. 10 - Module 6: Relational Ethics in Action
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The 4th International Congress on
Collaborative-Dialogic Practice
June 26-29, 2019
CALL FOR PROPOSALS
Submit your Proposal Now!
Historic Brno, Czech Republic
Please join colleagues from around the world interested in Collaborative-Dialogic and related Practices at the 4th International Congress in historic Brno, Czech Republic, June 26-29. We will focus on the exploration and practice of Collaborative-Dialogic Practice across contexts, cultures, and disciplines. We invite you to submit a proposal addressing our theme: inviting connection, conversation, creativity.
Theme: Inviting connection, conversation, creativity in education, psychotherapy, research and organizations and other topics of interest.
Save the Date and plan to join with hundreds of practitioners, academics and students in Brno, Czech Republic!
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The Taos Institute's International
Diploma in Social Construction and Professional Practice
Information Meeting
You are invited to join an information call to learn about the Taos Institute's International Diploma in Social Construction and Professional Practice - Come with your questions and curiosity.
This program is for you if:
- You are not looking for a university degree, but rather an opportunity to explore an area of interest, and complete an engaging project.
- You want to engage with others from around the world, in a virtual learning environment.
- You are looking for a community that shares your views, ideas, and values around collaboration, appreciation and relational capacity.
- You work well with self-motivation, and self-driven learning objectives.
- You want to increase your skills, challenge yourself, and learn something new.
Register in advance for this meeting. Click here.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
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World Appreciative Inquiry Conference
Nice, France, March 19 - 22, 2019
Generating Constructive Conversations for the Common Good
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NEW Book - First Appreciative Inquiry Book for Kids!
STAN AND THE FOUR FANTASTIC POWERS
by Shira Levy, Marge Schiller, Sarah Schiller, Max Schiller
Illustrator: Stefanie Rudolph
AVAILABLE NOW!! It is best to order from our website, as Amazon is saying the book is not available, and it
IS AVAILABLE.
Calling all teachers...A great book for classrooms! With the start of school happening now, consider adapting this book for your classroom to explore with your students the power of Appreciative Inquiry, the positive question, and collaborative change.
Meet the main character, Stan, and hear all about his adventures with Appreciative Inquiry. The book translates the research and application of appreciative inquiry into a book for and about children. The authors and illustrator are an intergenerational team, comprised of an Appreciative Inquiry expert, Nationally Certified School Psychologist, two middle school students, and an artist! Their journey in co-authoring this first ever children's book is truly a remarkable experience.
This book is great for children of all ages. Works well in a classroom to help students explore how their own strengths, combined with the strengths of others, creates opportunities for positive collaborations to happen that make the world a better place.
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WorldShare Books includes publications in English, Spanish, Italian, German, Chinese, Arabic, and even Farci.
Donate to the Peggy Penn WorldShare Books Fund
This fund helps to cover the expenses of offering these online books free of charge to anyone in the world.
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Paths to Positive Aging: Dog Days with a Bone and Other Essays
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by Mary and Ken Gergen
Mary and Ken Gergen are devoted to the cause of reinventing aging. To focus on the gains of aging is to realize that the later years are among the richest and most rewarding of one's life. In their dedication to this reconstruction, the Gergens publish the Positive Aging Newsletter, an electronic newsletter, available in seven languages (
www.positiveaging.net).
In this book, the Gergens share ideas and experiences designed to inspire others as they age.
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Communicating Possibilities:
A Brief Introduction to the Coordinated Management of Meaning (CMM)
by Ilene Wasserman and Beth Fisher-Yoshida
Communicating Possibilities is an introduction to the Coordinated Management of Meaning (CMM), a practical theory which at its roots, is an approach to looking at our social interactions. In the process of stepping back to look at our interactions and how we construct our social worlds, we open possibilities of alternative paths and outcomes. CMM offers tools and frameworks to use so when we pause and notice what we are making together and how, we open up spaces to make better choices with more desirable relationships each turn of the way.
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Coordinated Management of Meaning (CMM): A Research Manual
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by Natasha A Rascon and Stephen Littlejohn
Coordinated Management of Meaning (CMM): A Research Manual invites those who are interested, intrigued, or invested in CMM to explore the theory as method. Through conversations, Rascon and Littlejohn discussed the many research possibilities and created a manual that offers several frameworks for practical research. The manual provides contexts for applying CMM tools and models as well as many examples from researchers and professionals. Those who have been introduced to CMM and are interested in discovering possibilities for their research and practical interests at any level should enjoy the offerings of this book.
For more information
→
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By focusing on the positive aspects of aging, and the availability of resources, skills, and resiliencies, research not only brings useful insights into the realm of practice but creates hope and empowers action among older people. By moving beyond practices of repair and prevention, to emphasize growth-enhancing activities, practitioners also contribute more effectively to the societal reconstruction of aging.
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Join the Taos Institute NING Online Community website
Participate in online conversations, share resources, ask questions, connect with others doing similar work. Also, we feature special events on this community website.
Join in many different forums, groups and conversations:
1. Taos Institute Europe
2. Collaborative Governance
3. Relational Learning
4. Relational Research
5. Taos Latin America
6. Intergenerativity and Innovation
and many more at:
http://taoslearning.ning.com/
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Welcome (Bienvenidos) to the International Journal of Collaborative Practices. The Journal brings together members of a growing international community of practitioners, scholars, educators, researchers, and consultants interested in postmodern collaborative practices.
Sponsored by Taos Institute and Houston Galveston Institute
I
ssue 7- Available Now in English and Spanish -
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You can help to make a difference...
In a world needing more opportunities for collaborative, appreciative and dialogic practices, you can make a difference by supporting the Taos Institute's efforts to bring about more promising futures.
Help us to continue our work in:
- Creating and Expanding Collaborative Practices Globally
- Promoting Dialogic Means for Reducing Conflict
- Providing Degree and Diploma Opportunities for Practitioners
- Offering Cutting Edge Publications in Multiple Languages: Free or at Low Cost
- Generating Resources for Positive Aging
- Creating Global Forums and Conferences for Constructing New Futures
- Creating scholarship programs for students in need
Given the current global context into which we are moving, we feel the work in which we are engaged is more important than ever. We hope you can join with us as we continue to develop resources to aid the global community in co-creating more viable futures.
The Taos Institute is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and all donations are tax deductible in the US.
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The Taos Institute's mission is to bring together scholars and practitioners concerned with the social processes essential for the construction of reason, knowledge, and human value.
We are committed to exploring, developing and disseminating ideas and practices that promote creative, appreciative and collaborative processes in families, communities and organizations around the world through a social constructionist lens.
We look forward to your participation in the dialogue.
Keep up with our updates!
Dawn Dole, Executive Director
The Taos Institute
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