Action Learning Conference

20 April 2009

The conference explored the theme of 'Action Learning: releasing the potential of learning to enable sustainable change'.

The conference attracted over 100 participants who came together to explore the promising potential of action learning from a variety of perspectives.  Individuals and groups who had experienced action learning shared their stories of establishing, managing and sustaining action learning networks to support individual, business, organisational and community development. The conference attracted representatives from local government, the NHS, the local community and other academic institutions.

One participant said that the conference was “very thought-provoking, interactive and enjoyable,” whilst another found it to be “a well organised, professionally delivered event.”

Conference organisers, Dr Aileen Lawless (LBS) and Kelli Pickford (NWE) commented: "Our aim was to create a conversation between diverse contributors and participants via presentations, guided discussion and open spaces."

“The conference provided a forum to review how Action Learning can support learning and action within organisations.”

Professor Paul Joyce (Director of LBS) commented: “A key outcome from the conference was bringing together members of varying communities, to share thoughts and practice around action learning.”

In addition, the conference provided an opportunity to explore whether there was energy across the North West for advancing an Action Learning agenda across organisations and across sectors. The response from the conference was enthusiastic and positive.

In terms of support needed to progress this agenda, several themes emerged from the feedback, including:

• Promoting networking opportunities for organisations and individuals to share and learn from each other. 
• Developing case studies to share across the region.
• Support the development of skills around action learning set facilitation and process.
• Facilitation of action learning sets.
• Support in setting up and establishing sets.

LBS will continue to work in partnership with North West Employers and other regional bodies and academic institutions to support this activity.  The School will host a workshop on the 27 April in association with the 'Action Learning: research and practice' journal. This workshop will facilitate the production of accounts of practice and peer-reviewed papers.

For further details of the conference, or the forthcoming workshop, please contact Dr Aileen Lawless at a.lawless@ljmu.ac.uk

Pictured l-r: Professor Mike Pedlar, Dr  Kiran Trehan, Liz McQue and Kelli Pickford.