Systemic Engagement: Universities as Partners in Systemic Approaches to Community Change

The most pressing social problems facing humanity in the 21st century are what systems theorist Russell Ackoff referred to as "messes"--complex dynamic systems of problems that interact and reinforce each other over time. In this article, the authors argue that the lack of progress in mana...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of higher education outreach and engagement. 2015, Vol.19 (1), p.1
Main Authors: McNall, Miles A, Barnes-Najor, Jessica V, Brown, Robert E, Doberneck, Diane M, Fitzgerald, Hiram E
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Barriers
Case Studies
Change Strategies
Community Change
Community Development
Cooperative Planning
Design Preferences
Educational Principles
Inquiry
Interdisciplinary Approach
Michigan
Partnerships in Education
Place Based Education
Problem Solving
Program Evaluation
School Community Programs
Social Problems
Systems Approach
Universities
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Summary:The most pressing social problems facing humanity in the 21st century are what systems theorist Russell Ackoff referred to as "messes"--complex dynamic systems of problems that interact and reinforce each other over time. In this article, the authors argue that the lack of progress in managing messes is in part due to the predominance of a university-driven isolated-impact approach to social problem solving. The authors suggest an alternative approach called systemic engagement (SE), which involves universities as partners in systemic approaches to community change. The six principles of SE are presented and illustrated with a case example. Barriers to SE are discussed, and strategies are proposed for increasing faculty use of this methodology. The promises and perils of SE as an alternative community-engaged approach to social problem solving are considered.
ISSN:1534-6102