Action Research and Learning
Action Research at Collective Transitions
The Innovation Lab is where we develop, refine and explore methods for societal transformation. It is informed and guided by ongoing inquiry towards understanding how to navigate complexity for systemic change. Collective Transition’s participatory action research within the Innovation Lab invites cohorts of participants to engage in collective inquiry. This includes iterative stages of observation, reflexive analysis, applied prototypes, meaning-making and synthesis into tangible outputs. We enable organizations to become co-creators in the knowledge production process, while bringing action research into institutions as a process tool for organizational and learning development.
What is action research?
The SAGE Handbook for Action Research defines action research as “a democratic and participative orientation to knowledge creation [that] brings together action and reflection, theory and practice, in participation with others. Action research seeks creative participative communities of inquiry in the pursuit of practical solutions to issues of pressing concern to people, and more generally the flourishing of individual persons and their communities. (Source)
The value of participatory-oriented research lies in its co-creation process, where researchers generate solutions to practical problems within their societal, political and organizational contexts. In other words, one of its strengths lies in the ability to empower practitioners to engage with research and the subsequent development or implementation activities. Qualitative research of this form is especially useful for addressing topics of a complex nature, such as socio-environmental and interpersonal dynamics.
Features of action research (source) include:
It involves action, evaluation and critical reflection; after this – based on the evidence gathered – changes in practice are then implemented.
It is participatory and collaborative; it is undertaken by individuals with a common purpose.
It is situation-based and context-specific.
Reflection is based on interpretations made by the participants.
Knowledge is created through action and at the point of application.
“Action research does not start from a desire of changing others ‘out there, although it may eventually have that result, rather it starts from an orientation of change with others.”
Our focus areas:
Collective Transition’s action research is focused in two main areas:
Understanding how systems sensing approaches might broaden our capacity as individuals and as groups to understand and make meaning of situations and contexts. System sensing is informed by systems thinking and is a “felt sense” approach to engaging with the deeper wisdom of a system that is often hidden from view. In working with the felt senses, systems sensing can be understood as a visceral aptitude that draws on innate human capacities for being in relation with, listening deeply to and momentarily embodying the elements of a system.
Building collective capacities for navigating the unknown, or what we call “the space in between.” By collective capacities, we mean the ability of a group, and the individuals who are part of it, to activate, practice and further refine a range of required “muscles.” These can include the abilities to acknowledge and relate with different perspectives; widen perception and engage in different ways of knowing; listen for subtle shifts in dynamics within oneself, a group and in a wider system; dare to feel discomfort and “sit in the fire together”; and approach trauma dynamics with care.
As a catalyst organization, Collective Transitions engages in its own reflective research on how to best serve as an institutional vehicle to bring about design perspectives for knowledge creation across different contexts, sectors and scales.
Why action research?
Action research:
Believes in the potential and possibility of change.
Focuses on solving real problems and thus is applied in real situations rather than experimental or contrived studies. It is practical and concerned with achieving real outcomes with real people.
Is interdisciplinary and incorporates a diversity of disciplines, locations and perspectives.
Welcomes and works with complexity, uncertainty and struggle.
Engages participants as co-researchers who wish to improve an understanding of practice or social change issues, but often lack the necessary methodology knowledge to carry out the work.
Enables co-researchers to reflect on their practice to improve it, become more autonomous and develop a more energizing and dynamic environment for meeting and dealing with challenging issues.
Enables co-researchers to articulate and build a craft of knowledge while recognizing and appreciating their own expertise.
For more information see “Why Action Research” by members of the editorial board.