IDEAS, NEWS AND RESOURCES | January 2021
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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, and their application in relational, collaborative and appreciative practices around the world. |
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The Many Ways to Get Involved! |
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Brief Encounter with The Taos Institute |
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Social Construction on the Cusp
Board President and co-founder
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It has been an arduous year for the world, and once again hope rises for the dawning. So much has been said, both in anguish and optimism. While on the cusp of the New Year, I would like to share some thoughts on what we have been through, and how it bears on the past and future of the Taos Institute. Social constructionist ideas place major importance on the collaborative creation of what is real and good. This past year, we have come to share a reality in which a deadly virus is sweeping the world. But where have we placed our values? Where have we located “the good?” Here it seems that the central value has been placed on self-protection – my health, my family, my community, or my country. But in this stampede for self-protection, who is co-creating the value of the global good? If we all strive to take care of our own health, does this mean that global health will take care of itself? When care for me and mine is prized, we invite the familiar conflicts: who is responsible, who controls, deserves, is blameworthy, and so on. The good for all drops from sight. The situation is much the same in terms of our collective incapacity to protect the environment or live peacefully with each other. Without this valuing of the whole, the Covid crisis is simply a harbinger of a much darker future.
Here I do take heart in the spirit and activities of the Taos Institute. At the core there is the acknowledgement and appreciation of the multiple realities and values across the world; and there is a major investment in creating and sharing practices that move us toward a greater good. A milestone in these efforts was achieved this past year in the publication of the Sage Handbook of Social Constructionist Practices. Thanks to the mammoth efforts of the editors, Sheila McNamee, Mary Gergen, Celiane Camargo Borges, and Emerson Rasera, the Handbook offered 60 chapters, filled with innovative practices in therapy, healthcare, education, organizational development, and community building. Significantly, the 84 authors of these chapters represented 14 countries.
Pleasure can also be taken in the publication of a new Taos Institute book, Appreciative Inquiry as a Daily Leadership Practice: Realizing Change One Conversation at a Time. Here we must thank the authors Luc Verheijen, Saskia Tjepkema, and Joeri Kabalt for showing us how Appreciative Inquiry can be absorbed into daily organizational life. Also symbolizing the way we all continue learning from each other are three new graduates from the Diploma program, from three different countries. The program is especially designed to provide guidance to those wishing to embark on a specialized and unique learning journey or project (www.taosinstitute.net/diploma-program). And we are especially proud of the four new graduates of the PhD program: Tzofnat Peleg-Baker, Richard Manley-Tannis, Lucie Hornova, and Maria Ospina Alvarado.
While these were inspiring markers of the year past, the beat goes on. For example, the Institute features a number of discussion networks open to all. The Dialogue with the Author webinar series is a lively, free, online offering to hear about new and timely books. This past year the Relational Research Network worked on a video series highlighting theory and practice in relationally centered research. In February they will begin a launch of some 26 of these videos. Further, the new Relational Education Network will be joining others to offer an online, international conference in July, on Relational Education.
Excitement abounds…
These are energizing efforts of great promise. The looming challenge remains, however, of the global good. One glimpses potential in these activities, but that potential can only be realized through our collective participation.
Change can begin with the next conversation.
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Dialogue with the Authors |
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About the Dialogue
This dialogue with Ken Gergen, Ph.D. and the authors of this section will explore the ideas and practices in Section 2 - Research Practices of The SAGE Handbook of Social Constructionist Practice. This new book is a celebration of voices from the Taos Institute and offers a major review of social construction. It showcases the latest theory and application of social construction across a range of disciplines. This review of the field is timely while also pointing to future directions in practice. The focus in each chapter is on real-world practice in addition to theoretical work, thus making it useful for advanced students, scholars, and practitioners alike.
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Join in all of the Dialogues with the Authors of
All events are 11:00 am - 12:30 pm US Eastern (New York) time
February 25 – Section 3: Practices in Therapeutic Professions
Also Coming Soon:
March 19 – Section 4: Practices in Organization Development with Diana Whitney
April 23 – Section 5: Practices in Educational with Thalia Dragonas
May 20 – Section 6: Practices in Healthcare with Murilo Moscheta
June 24 – Section 7: Community Practices with Marie Hoskins
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Professional Development Opportunities |
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January 28-30, 2021
An Online Seminar
In this virtual seminar spread over 3 days (3 hours each day), Harlene and Sheila will introduce, discuss, and provide opportunities to put constructionist theory to practice. Given the challenges we confront globally, discussion will center on exploring the practical implications of social construction in difficult times. Special attention will be given to participants’ own projects and professional contexts. We will provide ample time for sharing and interacting.
This workshop will be useful for those familiar with social construction and relational practice as well as those new or unfamiliar with these ideas. This is an opportunity to be in conversation with others who are working in or who want to work in relational ways. It is a chance to forge connections that might help us sustain relational practices.
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Spanish - March 5-6, 2021
10:00 am - 1:00 pm US Eastern (New York) time
English - March 12-13, 2021
10:00 am - 1:00 pm US Eastern (New York) time
In this 6-hour Zoom seminar spread over 2 days (3 hours each day), Monica will invite participants to examine, discuss and reflect on different contexts in which social movements have emerged in order to resist and challenge violent ways of relating and interacting with each other. These movements have been the result of micro, mezzo, and macro practices of oppression, marginalization, exploitation, and abuse of diverse and vulnerable peoples (Indigenous and Black peoples, Women, etc.), and aim to reclaim alternative relational practices, based on empathy, compassion, tenderness, companionship, respect, and togetherness.
Registration fee is a sliding scale to allow everyone to participate.
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April 19 - June 6, 2021
This course introduces common premises and orienting ideas central to dialogues on social construction. The ways in which constructionist ideas differ from traditional, realist understandings of the world are explored. This course features videos and writings of Ken Gergen, Mary Gergen, Sheila McNamee, Harlene Anderson, Barnett Pearce, John Shotter, Saliha Bava and more. It consists of: weekly live calls, readings, videos, assignments, activities, learning partner conversations, online commenting, and writing. There will be live conference calls on Mondays from 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM New York time/Eastern US time. An orientation is scheduled for April 20, 2021.
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January 24 - April 25, 2021
A 12-week philosophical exploration led by
Director / Co-Founder of the East Side Institute,
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Now more than ever, the world calls for innovative ideas and positive change rooted in dialogic and relational practices. Whether you are passionate about social justice, education, climate change, healthcare, or community development, seize this opportunity to make a real difference by bringing your idea to life - all the while gaining professional expertise and credentials. |
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- Four semesters, completely online
- Student-driven curriculum - you design your goals and set your own pace
- World-renowned faculty - each student is assigned a mentor based on their specific project
- No prerequisites, only a project or idea that fits within the Taos Institute's mission
- Available in 8 languages in addition to English
- Group or custom projects considered on a case-by-case basis
- A source of meaningful, lasting global connections with like-minded peers
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Featured Article
by Kenneth J. Gergen, Sheila McNamee, and Frank Barrett
This 2001 article published in the International Journal of Public Administration (2001, 24, 697-707) is so timely and pertinent today. The authors say "Perhaps the major challenge for the 21st century is how we shall manage to live together on the globe." In this article they put forth the concept and practice of transformative dialogue. Transformative dialogue may be viewed as any form of interchange that succeeds in transforming a relationship between those committed to otherwise separate and antagonistic realities (and their related practices) to one in which common and solidifying realities are under construction.
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Featured Video
Join with Sheila McNamee, Celiane Camargo- Borges and Emerson Rasera along with Ken Gergen and all the section editors of this exciting new book. This video records the launch and celebration of the book with the broader community by showcasing editors introducing their respective sections. The Taos Institute is thrilled to invite you to share this tremendous accomplishment and major contribution to Social Constructionist ideas and practices. A moment not to miss!
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Announcing a new Taos Focus Book!
by Jan N. DeFehr, Cynthia Loreto Sosa Infante,
& Christian Israel Lizama Valladares
This book draws on social construction theory, collaborative-dialogic practices, and the particularity of two master’s degree theses to show how dialogic social inquiry can produce its own unrepeatable process. Dialogic social inquiry comes from, and remains connected with, the participant community at the core of the inquiry effort. When a research process derives from its own living social ecology, it can more sensitively and boldly do justice to the dynamic requirements and transformative possibilities embedded in the work.
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Call for Proposals - for the May 2021 Open Topic Issue of the Appreciative Inquiry Practitioner online journal.
Due Jan. 31
The May 2021 issue of AI Practitioner will be an “open issue” meaning that there will not be a special theme or topic for the issue. This is an opportunity to lift up a variety of work happening around the world, with the unifying thread simply being that the work is showcasing or advancing the theory and practice of Appreciative Inquiry. Send your outline or proposal
(https://aipractitioner.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Call-for-Articles-May2021.pdf) and email to: info@aipractitioner.com
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ISSUE 10 Available Now!
This free journal brings together members of a growing international community of practitioners, scholars, educators, researchers, and consultants interested in postmodern collaborative practices.
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FREE downloadable books in 12 different languages. Like all of the Taos Institute Publications, WorldShare Books represent significant contributions relevant to social constructionist theory and practice. With over 30 books in English and many more from around the world, you will enjoy reading about education, spirituality, organizational life, community building, group dynamics, leadership and more.
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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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Access hundreds of articles and papers on topics such as:
- Appreciative Inquiry
- Collaborative Practices
- Dialogic Practices
- Creativity and Change
- Narrative Practices
- Relational Learning
- Relational Research
- Qualitative Research
- and so much more!
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Donate to the Taos Institute
Given the current global context, the work in which we are engaged is more important than ever. You can make a difference by supporting our mission to create promising future through social construction. Read more
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John Shotter Memorial Fund
John Shotter's death on December 8, 2016, was a profound loss for the scholarly world, for the Taos Institute, and for many of us personally. Read more
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Jane Magruder Watkins Memorial Fund
We remember Jane as an avid educator. This fund will support students who apply for a need-based scholarship to attend the various Taos programs. Read more
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Peggy Penn WorldShare Fund
Supports the publication of new WorldShare Books on topics related to the work and interests of Peggy Penn, Ph.D. Read more
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