Action Learning and Action Research

These songlines 'sing' into history the personal story of Action Learning and Research (ALAR) by an ALAR founder, Ortrun Zuber-Skerritt. Revealed through a collection of interviews conducted by scholars from six countries, these engaging, informative, intimate stories record her ALAR journey to document history and, more importantly, to help develop skills and innovation in workplace/community and lifelong learning for everyone, including the disadvantaged and poorest. Reviewers comments: This book is a must read for action researchers of all stripes and experience levels. Ortrun Zuber-Skerritt, a principal architect of ALAR who has pushed the boundaries of AR conceptually and methodologically, has now created a unique book built out of orchestrated interviews that provide us with much insight into who she is, why and how to learn from her, and invitation to collaborate in further developing our practice for the benefit of everyone. Davydd Greenwood, PhD, Goldwin Smith Professor of Anthropology, Cornell University, USA. --------- Interlinking interviews with personal and professional reflection make this book a welcome contribution, not only to ALAR but also to the wider development of personal narrative research and autoethnography. The methodology will inspire readers to be both creative and honest in their approach to their own studies. Morwenna Griffiths, PhD, Professor and Chair of Classroom Learning, School of Education, Edinburg University, UK --------- I'm excited by the PIP model (Preamble-Interview-Postscript) that Ortrun introduces to structure her ALAR story in this book. It's particularly useful in African countries for making public indigenous knowledge that is traditionally transferred by means of story telling. Ansu Erasmus, PhD, Professor and Senior Director, Higher Education Development and Services, Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria, South Africa ---------- In this innovative self-ethnographic account, Ortrun shares the experiences that are sources of her wisdom in relation to ALAR. Those who yearn for more control of their work situations, their lives and their environment in general, will be empowered by the personal learning that her 'songlines' convey. Shirley Grundy, PhD, Professor and Dean of the Faculty of Education, University of Hong Kong. ----------