A Workshop on:
Action Research: Knowing by Detecting and Changing Organizational Practices
12-13 March 2015
Bradford University School of Management
Heaton Mount
The Workshop will be organized around three key aspects:
(1) The first is the concept of research as a relational approach to creating knowledge.
Defining organizational knowledge as ‘relational’ means creating shared visions of the perceived problems, considering a complex positioning among different elements, and developing an understanding of the requirements and the implications at the micro (group) and macro (organizational) level.
(2) The second aspect is understanding and being able to use a range of methods to detect the situated knowledge. Examples of narrative and ethnographic methods, video research and practice-based orientation will be presented.
(3) The third aspect is creating the environment and tools to enhance an organization’s and organization members’ reflexive capabilities. Case studies with specific examples will be provided.
The workshop will combine discussion around theoretical inputs and methodological practices, with the active involvement of participants in activities and case discussions.
Participants are asked to email a brief written introduction (max 2 pages) with their booking forms to include:
- Your background and previous knowledge on Action Research
- Your research interests, topics and projects
How Action Research may be related to what you currently do, and specific questions you would like to raise at the workshop.
Drs Mara Gorli, Laura Galuppo and Professor Giuseppe Scarattiare members of the Department of Work and Organizational Psychology in the Faculties of Economics and Psychology at the Catholic University of Milan in Italy. Their research is oriented around changing organizations using practice-based approaches and action research methodologies. The team has experience working within a variety of organizations including health care and social enterprises. Specifically, Dr Gorli’s research interests are around organizational learning and knowledge, sustainability and practice-based studies; Dr Galuppo’s research interests are around social sustainability and organizational ethnography, and Prof. Scaratti’s around training, organizational change and communities of practice.
Programme for Day One
09.30 – 10.00Registration and coffee
10.00-12.30 – Action Research: setting the ground:
10.00-11.00 Introduction
11.00-11.15 Break
11.15-12.30 Action Research as a relational approach for creating knowledge and change
12.30 - 13.15 Lunch
13.15-16.30pm – Action Research: methods and tools
13.15-14.30 Action Research and its methods: a few perspectives
14.30-14.45 Break
14.45-16.30 Practices and tools for enhancing reflexivity in Action Research
Programme for Day Two
09.30-12.00 - AR: Organizational cases and practices
09.30- 10.30 Practices and tools for enhancing reflexivity in AR
10.30- 10.45Break
10.45- 12.00Case discussion
12.00Lunch and close
How to register for the workshop:
Please complete the online booking form at
Places are limited so please book your place early to avoid disappointment.
How to get to Heaton Mount, Bradford University School of Management:
Please contact if you have any further questions.