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127 results:

Translucent, ghost-like figure against a bright rainbow gradient; skyline at bottom. image from the Tavistock Institute of Human Relations website.
From Dream to Insight: transforming organisational understanding through social dreaming

In conversation with Mannie Sher

Workshop
A charcoal drawing of an envelope with a large "X" crossing it diagonally. The lines are rough and textured, set against a plain white background.
Lunchtime Talk with Dr Lennox Joseph, consultant, author and NTL Institute for Applied Behavioural Science practitioner (Wednesday 16 September 2026)
Lunchtime Talks
Black-and-white portrait of a person with short hair, calm gaze, teal abstract strokes. image from the Tavistock Institute of Human Relations website.
The Political Engagement of Psychoanalysis: Nic Waal and the Edith Jacobson Case

Lunchtime Talk with Dr Lene Auestad, author and philosopher, University of Oslo: stories, psychoanalysis and politics

Lunchtime Talks
Black-and-white photo of a person with shoulder-length hair, chin on hand, teal lines. image from the Tavistock Institute of Human Relations website.
On Talking about Groups: the Leicester Conference, for Insiders and Outsiders

Lunchtime Talk with Lily Scherlis, Brooklyn-based writer, artist and PhD candidate, University of Chicago

Lunchtime Talks
Taking an honest approach: step into the role of a participatory researcher

This Lunchtime Talk will explore participatory research with  Ryan Wise & Dr Thomas Spielhofer (Tavistock Institute) and Callum Ross & Lisa Androulidakis (Habitus Collective)

Lunchtime Talks
A sketched rectangle with an 'X' inside, drawn in black charcoal on a white background. The lines are rough and textured.
Lunchtime Talk with Dr Olumide Adisa, University of London: applying a systemic focus in policy and practice relating to domestic abuse (18 March 2026)
Lunchtime Talks
A butterfly with black, white, and orange wings rests on a broken tree branch with green moss, set against a blurred gray and green background.
Lunchtime Talk: Thinking with machines, with Dr Jean Cooper

Ambivalence, projection and the place of AI in Systems Psychodynamics

Lunchtime Talks
A woman with straight, light brown hair smiles at the camera. She wears a leopard print top and stands in front of a light stone wall. The image is framed with teal and white abstract doodle graphics.
Lunchtime Talk: Hope and resistance in oppressive systems, with Dr Katy Mason

Inspired by ideas in The Handmaid’s Tale, this talk will focus on resistance networks in systems where it feels too radical to openly offer any countercultural narrative | Wednesday October 22nd, 1pm to 2:30pm | online 

Lunchtime Talks
A person with curly light hair wearing a green blazer and dark shirt stands indoors, smiling slightly. White chalk-like scribbles are drawn across the image. People are blurred in the background.
Lunchtime Talk: building democracy at work

Bridging theory and practice in action research, with Hanne Finnestrand, Associate Professor at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU)

Lunchtime Talks
Silhouette of a person mid-motion against a vibrant blue and pink background. The silhouette contains floral and leaf patterns, adding texture and depth to the abstract composition. A circular pink shape is partially visible behind the figure.
Further discovery sessions for Deepening Creative Practice, 1st and 8th April 2025

Free session to find out what Deepening Creative Practice will look like in 2025

Talks & presentations
Nighttime view of a busy urban highway with light trails from moving vehicles. A modern building with ScottishPower signage is visible in the background. Streetlights illuminate the scene, highlighting the flow of traffic on the curving road.
Lunchtime Talk: The new national Just Transition framework for Scotland

Dr David Drabble (Tavistock Institute) and Dr Kirsten Jenkins (University of Edinburgh). This talk considered the new Just Transition framework and how it will aid the redesign of socio-economic systems in the face of climate change

Lunchtime Talks
A row of Russian nesting dolls (matryoshkas) painted with intricate blue and gold designs and faces with red cheeks and blue eyes. The dolls are arranged by size, leading toward the viewer.
Turning chaos into growth: Lessons from war zones for leaders and organisations

Lunchtime Talk with Yeshim Harris | Wednesday 19 February 2025, 1pm — 2:30pm UTC

Lunchtime Talks
Three people are silhouetted against a red curtain, each striking a dramatic pose; one holds a hat, another has an arm raised, and the third holds an umbrella over their shoulder.
You’ve got the part!’ Wanted and unwanted roles in organisational ethnography

Lunchtime Talk with Dr Peter Shepherd, independent consultant: How the researcher’s identity in situ is shaped and reshaped by expectations and projections | Wednesday 19 March 2025, 1pm — 2.30pm (UTC)

Lunchtime Talks
A large, rusted shipwreck rests on a rocky, sandy shore under a blue sky with scattered clouds, with distant mountains visible on the horizon.
The Uncanny, the Mystical and the Myth: Finding space for the irrational in leadership thinking

Noel McQuaid presents this Food for Thought Lunchtime Talk, 22nd January at 1pm

Lunchtime Talks
A woman with long dark hair is wearing hoop earrings and a black top. She is looking straight ahead. The background features abstract, swirling black lines on a white surface.
The Role of Creativity in Evaluative Practice

Join us in this session to explore how creativity plays a role in Evaluative Practice on Weds 11th December 1pm-2.30pm

Lunchtime Talks
Dr Eliat Aram has long dark hair and wears a dark long-sleeve top. She is sitting on a green armchair in a cozy room smiling at the camera. Shelves with books are visible in the background.
Podcast: the dynamics of shame, with Dr Eliat Aram

Dr Eliat Aram focuses on shame in this podcast, drawing on her research and practice over the last 25 years

A child's drawing on green paper showing two stick figures inside what seems to be a jar or container. The figures are drawn with bold, orange lines, each featuring a simple face and body, standing next to each other.
Seeking an adultier adult: explore human creativity in organisations

Over the last few decades, there has been an increased focus on how organisations can ‘improve’ creativity and innovation. Join us on Weds November 20 at 1pm — 2.30pm to discuss

Lunchtime Talks
A woman with curly gray hair smiles warmly while standing outdoors. She is wearing a dark jacket and green blouse. The background features trees and a blurred building, suggesting a park or garden setting.
Podcast: Hidden forces that drive group behaviour

Introduction to group relations and the work of TIHR from Rachel Kelly, Group Relations Consultant and OD Consultant

A group of people, some wearing face masks, engaged in an animated discussion or interaction in an indoor setting. One person in a colorful shirt stands out, gesturing energetically with arms outstretched. Light reflections create a dynamic scene.
High Performance Dynamics and Creativity: launch event for the Creative Digital Futures Lab

Join Professor Eenasul Fateh on Thursday 26th September, 6pm — 8pm

Talks & presentations
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Scrambling Time and Matter in Sulphur

This Food for Thought lunchtime talk will share Heni Hale’s process of encountering archive materials of The Tavistock Institute of Human Relations. 

Wednesday 18 September 2024, 1pm — 2.30pm

Lunchtime Talks
A bald man with glasses smiles subtly against a blue background. Transparent, abstract blue and black sketch-like lines overlay the image.
Exploring the human-technology constellation to understand our entangled modern world

In this talk, on 17th July at 1pm, Dr Nick Waggett will explore how digital technologies have become incorporated into our intra- and inter-psychic processes.

Lunchtime Talks
A bride in a white gown and veil lovingly embraces a black horse. She holds a white calla lily. The background is a turquoise color with abstract black swirls.
Dreaming for the Future, with Dr Franca Fubini and Susan Long

Inspired by Susan Long’s writing about anticipatory dreams and dreaming for the future, Franca Fubini will explore how the matrix dreams from the past in order to develop dreaming for the future.

Lunchtime Talks
A woman with long, wavy hair is sitting against a blue background with black abstract lines. She is wearing a white top and a patterned scarf.
Unlocking Leadership, with Mariana Moura

Unlocking Leadership: The Next Generation of Family Business, with Mariana Moura. Join us for a captivating exploration of family business dynamics with Mariana Moura, a Brazilian consultant in the field of family enterprises.

Lunchtime Talks
A scenic view of a rocky coastline against a vibrant orange sunset sky. The word "KURÅT" is prominently displayed across the image.
The 2023/4 Deepening Creative Practice group presents: Kuråt

Watch the film made by this year’s Deepening Creative Practice group

Professional development
A person wearing glasses is smiling, dressed in a suit jacket over a patterned shirt. The background is dark with white, abstract chalk-like lines crossing over the image.
Professional joy: don’t let your dream die with you

Steven H. Cady asks ‘why is it that traditional career paths often fall short of yielding true fulfillment?’

Lunchtime Talks
Three copies of the book "An Introduction to Systems Psychodynamics" by Mannie Sher and David Lawlor are stacked on a wooden table. The room has a blurred background with greenery, creating a calming atmosphere.
Book Launch: ‘Systems Psychodynamics’

Join us to celebrate the launch of all three volumes in the Systems Psychodynamics series.

Book launch
A modern office lobby with a light wooden floor and a green metal reception desk. There are wooden chairs against a white wall with a vertical plant display above them. A large potted plant is on the right, and a round wall clock shows the time.
Professional Development Open Evening

The Tavistock Institute invites you to our Professional Development Open Evening.

Professional development
An elderly man with white hair and glasses is smiling while holding a piece of paper. He is wearing a dark suit and white shirt. There is a person in a red shirt partially visible to his left and a person in a floral shirt partially visible to his right.
The Experience of Being 70 and over

Dr Mannie Sher kicked off our 2018 lunchtime talk series with his talk ‘Experience of Being 70 and over — an overview of the group relations conference’.

Lunchtime Talks
A man with gray hair wearing a brown sweater and khaki pants sits on a chair near a large window. There is a tall potted plant beside him, and a cityscape is visible through the window. The room's atmosphere is calm and softly lit.
The Five Facets of Theory of Change

Richard Allen, Principal Researcher and Consultant at the Tavistock Institute, presents research into the ‘five facets of Theory of Change’.

Lunchtime Talks
A large courtyard with groups of people walking and gathering. In the background, traditional Chinese architecture with red walls and ornate roofs, likely part of a historic site, is seen under a clear sky.
The Dynamics of Habit and Ritual: Theories from China

Michael Puett’s lunchtime talk offered an exploration of theories of human psychology and group dynamics as they arose in early China and agues that these theoretical understandings have much to offer contemporary practice.

Lunchtime Talks
A black and white photograph of a classical statue depicting a bearded man seated, holding a large cornucopia filled with fruits. Natural light filters through a window behind him, highlighting the intricate details of the sculpture.
Agon in the Office – Contests and Gatherings in the Theatre of Work

Jessica Burlingame continues an inquiry begun during her workshop at the Tavistock Institute’s 70th anniversary Festival

Lunchtime Talks
A group of people in traditional Middle Eastern attire are sitting in a small boat on a body of water. The background features abstract, textured brushstrokes with shades of red, blue, and green, evoking a dynamic, painterly scene.
Losing Political Office

Jane Roberts, author of the book Losing Political Office, brought insights from her new book as possible food for those working, consulting to governance and political systems.

Lunchtime Talks
A rusty paperclip attached to a piece of lined paper with handwritten text that reads "NORTH MALABAR." Another paperclip is partially visible in the background.
Eric Miller’s application of an anthropological training to TIHR work

The evolution of Eric Miller’s methodology

Lunchtime Talks
Three young boys walk along a dirt path beside a brick wall, with one boy carrying a large, filled sack over his shoulder. The scene suggests labor or a journey, with scattered debris and a rustic background.
Lifting neighbourhoods out of poverty

How do we harness resources to create a more cohesive system?

Lunchtime Talks
A black and white photo of three abstract stone sculptures. Two larger figures are seated on stools, each holding a harp, while a smaller figure sits nearby. The sculptures have a minimalist design with smooth surfaces.
The Chair: politics, sociology and how to sit on one

In this talk, Rachel Kelly traced the history of the chair through human evolution, the significance and symbolism of the chair, the chair as ‘object of desire’ and what makes a comfortable chair.

Lunchtime Talks
Three people carry large baskets on their heads along a dirt road. They are walking away from the camera. The sky is partly cloudy, and there are piles of earth on either side of the road.
Female Genital Cutting, human rights and religious freedom

This talk looked at issues of negotiating independence and the politics of knowledge production in the case of Female Genital Cutting.

Lunchtime Talks
A man speaks into a microphone, gesturing with his hands. The image is distorted with colorful digital glitches and horizontal lines, creating a fragmented, abstract effect.
CyborgORG: The Human/Machine Organization

From coal mines to WeWork: learning from the Tavistock Tradition, researching the contemporary workplace — a lunchtime talk by Jack Marmorstein.

Lunchtime Talks
A child's hand drawing colorful chalk lines on a concrete surface, creating abstract patterns in pink, blue, yellow, and white.
Looked After Children #1

Reflections from TIHR researchers on evaluating the Adoption Support Fund 2015-2017.

Lunchtime Talks
A man in a dark coat stands and speaks to a seated audience in a bright room with white walls and ornate architectural details. The audience listens attentively.
Poetry in the Here and Now

Joe Cullen selects poems from his own work as the Bard of Dalston that ask questions of the here and now.

Lunchtime Talks
A black and white portrait of a person with long dark hair, smiling slightly, wearing a patterned blazer over a light blouse. The background is a plain, gradient gray.
The Hidden Gem of Leadership

Followership Lessons from a Convent Community

Lunchtime Talks
A green Möbius strip made of paper is placed on a light surface. The strip twists once before connecting the ends, creating a continuous loop with a single side and edge, casting a soft shadow.
One, Two, Three… Groups

Dr Yossi Triest talks about bridging the gap between the ‘unconscious of the individual’ and the ‘unconscious of the group.’

Lunchtime Talks
A crowded hallway in a hospital with rows of people sitting, including individuals in wheelchairs. The focus is on the wheelchair user in the foreground, while others wait in line. The atmosphere is busy and anticipatory.
The ‘Impossibility’ of Working in the Current NHS

Dr Rachel Gibbons facilitates a conversation to think about what is wrong with the NHS.

Lunchtime Talks
A group of people gather in a brightly lit room with beige walls, engaged in conversation. They stand near a circle of empty chairs, surrounded by colorful papers and a coffee cup on a central table. Wall plaques are visible in the background.
The Tavistock Community: our story so far…

A talk presented by Agnès Berthoz, Laure Fraval, Kalina Stamenova and Eva Worm

Lunchtime Talks
A fluffy orange and white cat lies on a blue textured blanket, intently watching a laptop with its screen open. The background is a plain wall, creating a cozy indoor setting.
Virtual Reality

A lunchtime talk by Coreene Archer and David Drabble.

Lunchtime Talks
A man with a beard and shaved head is wearing a dark vest over a shirt. He is standing indoors against a white wall, smiling slightly at the camera. The lighting is soft and natural.
The challenge of blending spirituality with organisational demands

What happens in the areas in which organisational structure and spiritual experience intersect or are in tension with one another?

Lunchtime Talks
A vibrant assortment of hats in various colors and styles, including fedoras and wide-brimmed hats, is displayed in a shop. Each hat has a price tag attached. The hats are stacked closely, creating a colorful and textured visual.
Bringing out the best in times of uncertainty

In this talk, Professor Georgie Parry-Crooke explores what the right hat or hats might be for collaborative evaluation roles.

Lunchtime Talks
A woman with long dark hair is sitting on a chair in a well-lit room with a plain white wall. She is wearing a light sweater and dark pants, smiling softly at the camera.
Evaluation: from reflective to deliberative practice?

Giorgia Iacopini explores what drives policy-making, taking us beyond the assumptions of policy work that still inform the evidence-based policy movement.

Lunchtime Talks
A soft, plush bunny toy in focus sits in a hospital operating room. In the blurred background, medical professionals in scrubs, masks, and caps are attending to a patient under bright lights. Monitors display vital information.
Why we need children’s hospices

David Strudley CBE FRSA makes the case for a major expansion of children’s hospice services.

Lunchtime Talks
A person wearing glasses lies on a comfortable gray couch, resting their head on a dark cushion. They are wrapped in a blanket and appear relaxed in a cozy indoor setting.
Integration of Young People who are NEET

Learning from the ‘NEETs in Action’ Erasmus+ project.

Lunchtime Talks
Seagulls perched on wooden posts in a misty river. Bare trees line the banks, and houses are visible in the background. The water reflects the posts and birds, creating a peaceful, serene scene.
Lateral Authority

Exploring Lateral Relations at Work — a talk by Petros Oratis

Lunchtime Talks
A person with curly hair, wearing a white long-sleeve shirt and blue pants, stands facing a wall with their arm raised. The wall has the text "I can do this" in bold purple letters.
Learning from Women and Girls, a Lunchtime Talk

The story and learnings from the Women and Girls Initiative

Lunchtime Talks
Silhouette of a person wearing a beanie, sitting at a table with a laptop and a coffee cup, looking out the window in a softly lit café.
Making an Online Learning course

— all the fun and all the challenges

Lunchtime Talks
A person with curly hair smiling slightly, wearing a scarf and a light-colored top, with a neutral background.
Is there a Doctor in the House?

What defines GPs’ primary tasks, roles, and systems?

Lunchtime Talks
An elderly woman with long gray hair smiles softly while sitting indoors. She is wearing a patterned scarf over a striped shirt, and there's a hint of a television screen in the background.
Complexity and Evaluation — latest developments

Dr Dione Hills asks — how can a better understanding of complexity have an impact on the way we think?

Lunchtime Talks
An elderly woman with white hair and glasses sits at a table, concentrating on crafting or working with her hands. She wears a patterned dress and a dark cardigan. The image has a warm, orange tint.
Everyday life, policy and research: older people and social exclusion

Dr Philip Corran explores the challenges of balancing everyday life and policy when it comes to ageing, disability and social exclusion.

Lunchtime Talks
Antique map of Paris showing detailed streets and buildings in red, with rivers and green spaces, labeled in both French and Dutch at the top, surrounded by a decorative border.
Systems thinking at the Tavistock Institute

— past, present and future

Lunchtime Talks
Several park benches are blocked off with red and white tape, preventing people from sitting. The benches are along a paved path in a green park with trees, bushes, and a white building in the background.
Connecting and Communicating in the midst of a Pandemic

Reflections on living in the time of Coronavirus.

Lunchtime Talks
Two hands reaching toward each other with extended fingers, nearly touching, set against a light, textured background; inspired by Michelangelos The Creation of Adam.
The Tavistock Touch: continued

As a result of interest in Lucian Hudson’s Lunchtime Talk on Touch, the Tavistock Community has created an opportunity to explore the phenomenon of touch further.

Talks & presentations
Two hands reaching toward each other with extended fingers, nearly touching, set against a light, textured background; inspired by Michelangelos The Creation of Adam.
The Tavistock Touch: what is our role now in repairing the world?

Lucian J. Hudson explores what it means to touch during a time of social distancing.

Lunchtime Talks
A minimalist artwork depicting two figures by a body of water. One figure is seated in dark clothing, while the other stands wearing white with red hair. The background features grass and a large expanse of water under a dark sky.
Emotional Labour

Exploring the impact of repeated bereavements for staff in a special school

Lunchtime Talks
An array of colorful origami cranes, including red, silver, and gold, suspended by strings against a tiled ceiling backdrop.
Consultancy with a light touch

Me and Work: experiences of consulting to organisations, sharing feelings, emotions, failures and learning from them.

Lunchtime Talks
Black and white image of an elderly man wearing glasses, seated at a table, writing on paper with a pen. A bottle is visible on the table. The scene is dimly lit, creating a serene and focused atmosphere.
A.K. Rice: A Forgotten Giant at The Tavistock Institute

Jean Neumann and Antonio Sama trace A.K. Rice’s legacy embedded and captured in articles, books and other source documents.

Lunchtime Talks
Abstract image with blurred green, purple, and white light streaks creating a dynamic, swirling pattern. The effect resembles motion or movement within the frame, with no distinct shapes or forms.
Under the surface and far apart

The dynamics of discord in remote teams

Lunchtime Talks
An older woman with short gray hair and light skin rests her chin on her hand, looking thoughtful. She wears a red top, a white sweater, pearl earrings, and a wedding ring. The background is softly blurred.
The Medical Self: why doctors make bad patients

Professor Dame Clare Gerada explores the reasons why doctors find it so hard to seek help when needed.

Lunchtime Talks
A person carries a child through a flooded street, with water reaching below the knees. In the background, there are buildings, power lines, and some people navigating the water. The sky is partly cloudy.
Tavistock Institute of Human Relations and the Environment

A talk by our staff exploring how we apply Tavistock social science to our environmental work.

Lunchtime Talks
A woman with short, light brown hair and glasses smiles outdoors. She is wearing a patterned jacket over a white collared shirt, with sunlight creating a warm, soft background.
The Art of Not Knowing

In this talk, Marian Timmermans combines models from Tavistock and Transactional Analysis in dealing with the unknown when working with groups.

Lunchtime Talks
Close-up of a curled fern frond, also known as a fiddlehead, surrounded by lush green fern leaves. The frond is in the process of unfurling, showcasing its intricate spiral shape against the vibrant background.
Experiences of Deepening Creative Practice

Join the Deepening Creative Practice community in a collective space to play, explore and experiment.

Lunchtime Talks
A woman with curly hair sits on a chair by a large window. She wears a dark dress with a small pattern and has a calm expression. Sunlight streams through the window, brightening the room.
Global socio-technical systems perspectives

The development of compassionate work and organisation design

Lunchtime Talks
Blurred long-exposure photo of a red double-decker bus and other vehicles in motion, creating streaks of light and color against a dark, urban background. The scene is dynamic, conveying speed and energy.
Evaluating design enabled innovations

Special session: towards a common impact evaluation methodology

Lunchtime Talks
Black and white image of a ceramic sculpture depicting two standing figures holding a smaller, seated figure between them. All figures have minimal facial features and simplified, abstract forms.
Applied Anthropology in Organisational Research & Consultancy

Why is anthropology important when understanding organisations?

Lunchtime Talks
A woman with shoulder-length blonde hair smiles while standing in a garden. She wears a blue blouse and a necklace. In the background, there are green plants and purple flowers.
Implementation Science Below the Waterline

Allison Metz joined us recently to speak about the role of trust and psychological safety in the use of evidence.

Lunchtime Talks
Three copies of the book "An Introduction to Systems Psychodynamics" by Mannie Sher and David Lawlor are stacked on a wooden table. The room has a blurred background with greenery, creating a calming atmosphere.
Book Launch: ‘An Introduction to Systems Psychodynamics’

David Lawlor and Mannie Sher speak on systems psychodynamics theory and its application to organisational consultancy as part of this book launch of An Introduction to Systems Psychodynamics

Lunchtime Talks
A man wearing glasses, a light patterned shirt, and a dark blue blazer smiles against a dark background. White, curved scribbles overlay the image, adding an artistic element.
The Future of Humanity Report

— a mashup of indices and qualitative analysis of reports. A talk by Professor Steven H. Cady.

Lunchtime Talks
A small dog wrapped in a blue and pink blanket sits on someone's lap. The person is using a laptop, with their hands visible on the keyboard and mouse. The scene has a cozy, at-home atmosphere.
Impact of Covid-19 on front-line practitioners

Anna Sophie Hahne, Georgie Parry-Crooke and Thomas Spielhofer presented findings from the TIHR Covid-19 research study.

Lunchtime Talks
A charcoal drawing of an envelope with a large "X" crossing it diagonally. The lines are rough and textured, set against a plain white background.
Digital Surgery — approaches and challenges of working virtually
Talks & presentations
A crosswalk with a red light.
How ‘Human Relations’ Got Its Name

The Journal as Boundary Object

Lunchtime Talks
A man with short hair and glasses sits on a chair, wearing a blue patterned shirt. He is positioned in a softly lit room, facing the camera with a neutral expression. The background is a plain, light-colored wall.
Consultants: are our ethics for real or just skin deep?...

Being a consultant means helping the client. How open are we to when we are not?

Lunchtime Talks
A factory worker in overalls and a cap gestures while explaining machinery to a colleague in a workshop filled with metalworking equipment. The setting is industrial, with bright fluorescent lighting and various machines in the background.
Boosting Human Capital for the 21st century

The Tavistock Institute team talk about a project designed to help low-skilled jobseekers train for future employment.

Lunchtime Talks
A group of thirteen people in military attire, sitting and kneeling outdoors on grass, posing for a black and white photo. Trees are visible in the background. The mood appears relaxed and informal.
Psychoanalysis Goes to War (Eventually)

A prehistory of the Tavistock Institute.

Lunchtime Talks
A marble statue of a bearded man wearing draped clothing. The sculpture captures an expressive face with eyes closed. The background is a marbled wall, enhancing the classical and timeless feel.
An Ancient Greek Philosophy of Management Consulting

How we can introduce useful novelty into our thinking about management consulting?

Lunchtime Talks
A person with short blond hair sits on a green armchair in a bright room. They are wearing a black shirt and smiling softly. A tall potted plant is nearby, and large windows reveal a cityscape in the background.
Survive and Thrive. What are we learning from the pandemic?

The Tavistock Institute team reflect on what learning about resilience is emerging from the coronavirus pandemic.

Lunchtime Talks
Two booklets titled "Settling Down in Civvy Street" from the Civil Resettlement Units. The covers are simple with green text and a border. The left booklet is slightly faded, and the right one is labeled "Mark II.
What is restored to the picture by delving into the Tavistock archive?

Alice White’s lunchtime talk provides insight into the people, processes, challenges and opportunities behind the Civil Resettlement Units of the 1940s.

Lunchtime Talks
An elderly man in a sweater and checkered shirt stands smiling in front of a chalkboard filled with handwritten diagrams and text at a conference.
Exploring Harold Bridger’s Archive

This talk explores the ways in which Harold Bridger shaped the history, memory, and identity of the Tavistock Institute between the years 1947 and c.1990

Lunchtime Talks
A person with short brown hair is standing indoors in front of large windows. They are wearing a dark sweater and smiling at the camera. The background is softly lit with an urban view outside the windows.
Strategic Thinking, Design and the Theory of Change

How can the Theory of Change framework be effectively employed in a wide range of social interventions?

Lunchtime Talks
A person with long dark hair sits in a gray upholstered chair, wearing a black sweater, against a soft, neutral-colored background. They have a calm expression and gently gaze towards the camera.
Exploring professional identity

How do we marry professionalism with individual identity?

Lunchtime Talks
A middle-aged man with short gray hair wearing large black glasses, a dark blazer, and a black shirt, looking directly at the camera against a plain white background.
“All we do is have meetings...”

What do meetings tell us about group dynamics and workplace culture?

Lunchtime Talks
A person with long dark hair and glasses is smiling, wearing a dark top and a necklace with a round pendant. White scribbles overlay the image, creating a dynamic effect. The background is dark and out of focus.
Podcast: "We have to stay with the trouble"

Dr Eliat Aram and Dr Simon Western discuss sustainability, the environment, urban development, and creative working around how the future is being shaped.

The image features the word "LIFE" written in vibrant colors: orange "L" with a smiley face, green "I" with a leaf, red "F" with a yellow flower, and blue "E." The design is simple and playful against a white background.
Where she was to where she is now: an animation celebrating the Women and Girls Initiative

The WGI film (2022), made by Leeds Animation Workshop with women and girls working with and supported by WGI funded projects.

A black and white illustration of a skeletal figure in tattered shrouds holding a mask. A crowd in dark robes stands behind, observing the scene in a dimly lit, ornate hall with draped curtains.
Corona-Time Notes: The Virus of Horror
A rough, hand-drawn charcoal sketch of a large "X" inside a square, both outlined with thick lines on a plain white background.
1, 2, 3… Groups
A monkey sits on a stone wall surrounded by lush green trees and bushes. It appears to be gazing towards the foliage, with sunlight filtering through the leaves. A building wall is visible on the right.
The dynamics of small groups and consulting to them
Dr Eliat Aram, talks about the experience of the first module of our new programme, Dynamics of Leading and Following in partnership with TILT, in South Africa. 
A charcoal drawing of an envelope with a large "X" crossing it diagonally. The lines are rough and textured, set against a plain white background.
Leadership Backstage: an interview with Dr Eliat Aram
Drissia Schroeder-Hohenwarth recently interviewed Dr Eliat Aram, CEO of the Tavistock Institute, in her exciting new podcast series Leadership Backstage.
A group of people are gathered together, some seated and others standing, all smiling and holding glasses as if celebrating. They are indoors, likely at an event or celebration, with a diverse mix of men and women in business and casual attire.
All Change at Group Relations!
On 13 April 2018, the Tavistock Institute marked the transfer of the role of Director of the Group Relations Programme from Mannie Sher to Leslie Brissett with a Minifest, which served as a continuation of the October 2017 celebrations of the 70th anniversary of the founding of the Tavistock Institute of Human Relations. On the morning of the Minifest there were lectures by Mannie and Leslie: Mannie reflecting on what he had learned in 20 years in the role and Leslie outlining his vision for Group Relations in the digital age.
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Comparing TIHR and NTL Founding Traditions
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Learning in the Tavistock Tradition
In this lunchtime talk, Anne Benson explored what “Drawing on classic and contemporary Tavistock approaches” might mean...
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Fitting Care Navigation into Health Systems

Lunchtime talk exploring the real stories of care navigators and outlining how a socio-technical systems approach can facilitate successful organisational change.

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The associative unconscious, abductive logic and social dreaming

A talk by Professor Susan Long

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Redundancy Kills!
What purpose does work serve for individuals and society? Work gives people a secure place in the community. It also allows them to displace narcissistic, aggressive or even erotic drives onto work...
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“Tavistock, we have a problem…..!”

(with apologies to the crew of the Apollo 13 moon flight...)

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4,446 books on Amazon on relational practice, but what does it mean?
With the fashion to call any and every approach to engaging with others ‘relational’ what does relational actually mean? Karen Izod gives us a snapshot of ideas on what relational practice means to her, and how it is embodied in her work as a consultant to organisational change and professional development.
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Working with Theory of Change and Complexity
In this lunchtime talk, Richard Allen, Principal Research and Consultant at TIHR, presents Theory of Change as both a framework and reflective practice for managing complexity.
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Communicating Results
The fourth (and last) in the series of lunchtime dialogues on the Dynamics of Evaluation. A panel discussion between Dione Hills (Chair), Cristina Castellanos, Milena Stateva, Laura Stock and Richard Allen.
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Trusting virtual strangers: Developing trust online in temporary collaborative groups
Professor Niki Panteli & David Drabble (TIHR) explore trust as a mechanism for forming functional online groups.
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Our prayer is our labour
On incubation of and innovation in reflective spaces. An essay by Milena Stateva, PhD, Senior Researcher/Consultant at The Tavistock Institute of Human Relations
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On the Yoga Event at the Leicester Conference
Rachel Kelly, Professional Development Coordinator at the Tavistock Institute and a teacher of the Alexander Technique, talks to staff and guests about some key concepts, philosophical ideas and the myths and fantasies around the Yoga Event, which has been a part of the annual group relations Leicester Conference for the last 8 years.
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Organisational Diagnosis
This is a video of Mannie Sher’s lecture on Organisational Diagnosis to members of the annual group relations conference in China, 2013, organised under the auspices of Oezpa Consulting, Germany.
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TIHR in the development of theory & practice in group relations, organisational development & applied social psychology
Milena Stateva, PhD Senior Researcher/ Consultant at the TIHR spoke about the role of the Tavistock Institute in the development of theory and practice in the fields of group relations, organisational development and applied social psychology.
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Training Group Concept
Eliat Aram, CEO of the Tavistock Institute of Human Relations, talks to Hüseyin özdemir of Oezpa Akademie & Consulting, Germany about the Training Group in the Orglab Group Relations conference 2014 where Eliat was the Director of the Training Group (TG).
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Handling Complexity
Handling Complexity: The third in the series of lunchtime dialogues on the Dynamics of Evaluation, presented by Eliat Aram, Dione Hills and Kerstin Junge.
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A System Psychodynamic Perspective on Evaluation
A presentation by Giorgia Iacopini and Leslie Brissett as part of our series on The Dynamics of Evaluation.
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Does love matter? fear and compassion in organisations and leadership
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Evaluation as reflective practice
A presentation by Camilla Child and Dione Hills as part of our new series of lunchtime dialogues on The Dynamics of Evaluation, which contributes to the celebration of the International Year of Evaluation.
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Shifts in Theory and Practice Over 35 Years of Evaluation Practice at The Tavistock Institute
In this Year of Evaluation, TIHR is celebrating thirty-five years of evaluation activities. What follows is a personal account by Frances Abraham of the emergence of evaluation at TIHR during this period.
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IDEAS for improving access to Higher Education
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What is Capacity Building?
In December 2013, Dr Susan Rosina Whittle and Irish colleagues Anne Colgan and Mary Rafferty presented their review of Capacity Building at a seminar hosted by The Centre for Effectives Services (CES) in Dublin.
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What Does Organisational Design Mean for Me and My Work?
A presentation to European Organizational Development Network: EODF Stream in May 2014, by Frances Abraham and Jean Neumann. This forms the third in the series of organizational design themed presentations that reflect TIHR’s continuing learning around design and culture change.
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The role of an ageing workforce in the future of work

Working through images of older people and their role in the systems psychodynamics of organizational life.

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Eliat Aram tells of directing a three-day Group Relations Conference in New York City
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Group Relations Conferences - The Leicester Conference
The upcoming Tavistock Institute's 68th Leicester conference provides a unique context for exploring and developing new leadership skills. Coreene Archer and Mannie Sher explain what you might expect from The Leicester Conference.
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Interpretations of Socio-Technical Systems: two stories and the narrative of an organisation
A presentation given by TIHR Principal Researcher / Consultant Frances Abraham and Researcher / Consultant David Drabble to the Socio-Technical Systems (STS) Roundtable: What’s Humane got to do with it?, September 13th, 2012.
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Complexity: Going Deeper
At a recent ‘lunchtime talk’ session, Eliat Aram, the Institute’s CEO attempted a second ‘bite’ into Complexity theory, this time introducing Staff and Guests to the ‘complex responsive processes of relating’ perspective developed by Prof. Stacey, Prof. Shaw and Prof. Griffin.
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A Group Relations approach to the socio ecological dilemmas in the Peruvian Amazons
A Group Relations approach to the socio ecological dilemmas in the Peruvian Amazons: An invitation to learn from the experience of leadership, accountability and love in order to promote a spirit of enquiry for a sustainable transformation in the Amazons’.
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Theory of Change in action
We were delighted when Helène Clark was able to join one of our lunchtime talk series while on a brief visit to the UK. Helene is a leader in Theory of Change development and facilitation, founder of ActKnowledge and of Theory of Change Online.
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Eco-Leadership, new skills for organisational success and sustainability
Learning about an Eco-Leadership approach – what are the challenges, what are the organisational and societal impacts? Dr Simon Western talks about an Eco-Leadership approach during a TIHR lunchtime talk.
Sonia Boyce, Big Womens' Talk, 1984
The Women and Girls Initiative

The Women and Girls Initiative (WGI) was a National Lottery funded initiative designed to enable a stronger women and girls sector.

We were engaged to deliver the WGI Learning and Impact Services throughout the life of this initiative.

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Featured publications and podcasts

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