Systemic Inquiry: Innovations in Reflexive Practice Research

Approaches to research for politically attuned and relationally reflexive practitioners. How do we get alongside people in a disenfranchised world and find out their truths, our truths and collaborate to make the world a better, safer place? Internationally acclaimed contributors propose innovative research methodologies which promote sensitivity, creativity and political awareness to use everyday practice as powerful and transformative research practices.


The chapters offer practical and theoretical help in forging connections between relationally sensitive practice, reflexive inquiry and the wider field of post-positivist qualitative inquiry. Reflexivity weaves systemic social constructionist, collaborative dialogical and narrative practices in the fields of therapy, consultation, teaching, supervision, leadership, organisational development, community work and activism.


Mary Gergen - Foreword

Part 1 – Systemic Methodology

• Gail Simon - Systemic Inquiry as a form of Qualitative Inquiry
• Alex Chard - Orientations: Systemic Approaches to Researching Practice
• Harlene Anderson - Collaborative-Dialogue Based Research as Everyday Practice: Questioning our Myths
• Sheila McNamee - Research as Relational Practice. Exploring Modes of Inquiry
• John Shotter - Methods for Practitioners in Inquiring into “the Stuff” of Everyday Life and its Continuous Co-Emergent Development

Part 2 – Innovations in Systemic Inquiry

• Vikki Reynolds - A Solidarity Approach: The Rhizome & Messy Inquiry
• Saliha Bava - Performative Practices, Performative Relationships - in and as Emergent Research
• Jacob Storch & Karina Solsø - Reporting from inside the emerging process of becoming research consultants
• Lisen Kebbe – Writing Essays as Dialogical Inquiry
• Kevin Barge, Carsten Hornstrup & Rebecca Gill - Conversational Reflexivity and Researching Practice
• Ann-Margreth Olsson - The Impact of Dialogical Participatory Action Research (DPAR). Riding in the peloton of dialogical collaboration
• Andreas Juhl - Pragmatic inquiry as a research method for knowledge creation in organisations
• Christine Oliver - Using Coordinated Management of Meaning to Define Systemic Reflexivity as a Research Position
• Sally St George & Dan Wulff - Research as Daily Practice


Ann L Cunliffe, Professor of Organization Studies, University of Bradford, UK

“This book is a great resource. Each chapter practically illustrates the ‘realities’ of doing research – that inquiry is not the structured, de-humanised process many research methods books convey. Instead, it is often a messy, challenging, reflexive and ultimately rewarding experience.”


Peter Lang and Susan Lang, Founders of KCC, London, UK

“Here is a comprehensive bringing together of thoughts and practices involved in creating knowledge through doing systemic social constructionist research. A rich and inspiring resource for the practitioner. Travel in and enjoy your research activity!”


Frank J. Barrett, author "Yes to the Mess: Surprising Leadership Lessons from Jazz"

“This collection is a hopeful reminder that reflexive research can be a powerful and transformative intervention in social life. What an exciting and important book! ”


Peter Stratton, Emeritus Professor of Family Therapy, University of Leeds, UK

“This important book has assembled leading thinkers and researchers to usher in greater coherence to the imaginative thinking that has emerged as the postmodern social constructionist shift is applied to practitioner research.”