Action Inquiry - Resources
Have a look at our new interactive 'provocative propositions' cards
FOUNDATIONS
Collective Leadership for Scotland
Research Paper “Collective Leadership: Where Nothing is Clear and Everything Keeps Changing – Exploring new territories for evaluation ” (2018) – This is a good place to start. It uses wide-ranging literature with many references and links, some of which are picked up in the resources listed below.
How action research can help to deliver better services, IRISS
This storyboard aims to explain what action research is and how it can help to improve public services. It uses the example of Cedar (Children experiencing domestic abuse recovery) in Scotland to talk through how action research can be useful and offers some hints and tips for those thinking about undertaking action research themselves.
Bill Torbert
These two short videos from Bill Torbert are useful for novices and a good reminder for others.
- What is action inquiry?
- Timely Action – The Power of Action Inquiry
First Person Practices
Good account of first-person practices – in action. Accessible for novices and refreshing for all. Sheila McNamee ‘Radical presence’ (2015)
Second-Person Inquiry Practices
AR+ Co-Labs Future Learning – developing a practice of always learning in teams. Great all-round short resource – linking first person and second person inquiry.
HUMBLE INQUIRY
Edgar Schein - Humble Inquiry
Short Talk on Humble Inquiry for leaders – as a way to build relationships.
Edgar Schein and Otto Scharmer
Edgar Schein and Otto Scharmer in conversation (Jan 2015) Fascinating extended interview with Edgar Schein – useful for novices and a good reminder for all. Accessible here: https://www.presencing.org/aboutus/theory-u/leadership-interview/ed_schein
ACTION RESEARCH AND LARGE SYSTEMS CHANGE
Worth watching in full – Hilary Bradbury, Steve Waddell and Danny Burns on the implications of relational inquiry for large scale change. Accessible here: https://actionresearchplus.
APPRECIATIVE INQUIRY AND RELATIONAL PRACTICE
IRISS Insight
IRISS Insight “Forming new futures through appreciative inquiry” Insight 33. Accessible here: https://www.iriss.org.uk/resources/insights/forming-new-futures-through-appreciative-inquiry
IRISS Podcast
IRISS Podcast on Appreciative Inquiry (2016) Useful for all. Brings ideas about inquiry to life. Accessible here: https://podcast.iriss.org.uk/
Appreciative Inquiry Comms
Appreciative Inquiry Commons, Worldwide portal to lots of resources. Accessible here: https://appreciativeinquiry.