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An Invitation to Relational Research: Constructing New Horizons in Knowledge, Methodology and Beyond
With Celiane Camargo-Borges and Maggie Slaska
September 16, 11am-12pm EDT
An Invitation to Relational Research: Constructing New Horizons in Knowledge, Methodology and Beyond explores what becomes possible when relationships are placed at the center of research. This book shares examples from Brazil, Colombia, India, Italy, Australia, and the US of how researchers can engage inquiry in ways that acknowledge context and the shared relational processes through which knowledge is created. Emerging through international and intercultural collaboration, the book demonstrates how relational research invites dialogue across cultural, disciplinary, and epistemological differences, expanding what counts as knowledge and how it is generated. It brings together contributors from diverse disciplines and traditions—including Indigenous knowledge systems, queer worldmaking, autobiographical inquiry, relational pedagogies, regenerative education, and participatory methodologies. Join Celiane Camargo-Borges and Maggie Slaska for a conversation about the book, the relationships that shaped it, and the possibilities of relational research. More details.
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Registered participants will receive a 20% discount code for book purchase through the publisher. | | |
Contributions of Social Constructionism: Relational-Dialogical Perspectives from Latin America
With Diego Tapia Figueroa and Roberto Ricardi Costard (Editors), joined by several contributing authors
October 14, 1-2:30pm EDT
This work is a polyphonic and interdisciplinary collection that brings together authors from diverse Latin American and Ibero-American contexts to explore contemporary relational, collaborative-dialogical, narrative, and generative practices grounded in social constructionism. The book offers situated reflections on care, dialogue, mental health, education, justice, community work, and social transformation, emphasizing relational ethics, plurality, and the co-construction of meaningful and socially responsive practices. More details.
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In English with simultaneous translation in Spanish and Portuguese | | |
With Shi-Jiuan Wu, Taiwan
September 30, 10-11:30am EDT
Maintaining a resilient home now requires an "entrepreneurial" approach to family maintenance. While we eventually retire from our professional careers, we never "retire" from our families; the family is a lifelong enterprise. Consequently, the cost of failing to invest in this system is far higher than any professional setback. This reality necessitates a specialized methodology for mutual understanding—one that views the family not as a problem to be solved, but as a "family laboratory" requiring conscious, curious investment. The Anthropological Family Interview is a de-pathologizing practice rooted in profound curiosity and respect for the unique Family Wisdom inherent in every household. Join us to discover how an anthropological stance can foster deeper understanding, strengthen family relationships, and inspire new possibilities for living together with greater resilience, curiosity, and care. More details.
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With Ottar Ness and Dina von Heimburg, Norway
October 12, 12-1pm EDT
What if the foundation of thriving communities was ensuring that every child, young person, and citizen experiences that they matter? In this interactive session, we explore how fairness, mattering, and relational wellbeing can become living practices across education, mental health, community development, and public policy. Through stories, dialogue, and practical examples, we will invite participants to consider how we can co-create relationships, communities, and systems where everyone feels valued, has opportunities to contribute, and where future generations are enabled to flourish. More details.
| | Project Management & Program Support | | |
In addition to her role as Operations & Organizational Change Consultant for the Taos Institute, Alexandra Arnold is available to provide freelance project, operations, and program support to independent professionals and creative practitioners bringing social constructionist, relational, and appreciative ideas to life. Whether you are planning a workshop, online course or educational program, facilitating a community initiative, or preparing to publish a book, Alex can help coordinate and organize your project, assist with curriculum and content development, PowerPoint slide decks, registration and participant communications, Zoom and webinar logistics, newsletter and social media support, or manuscript formatting. In addition to handling the technical and administrative details, she is a strategic thought partner who can help translate your vision into practical steps toward meaningful change. She can be reached directly at almacoachingusa@gmail.com.
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Self-Paced Course, Start Anytime
Provocative, unsettling, liberating, inspiring…all have been applied to the dialogues on the social construction of knowledge. The ideas have swept across the academic world and into personal and professional life. For many, they contain the ingredients for a promising life together on this planet.
We are pleased to introduce the Taos Institute's first online self-paced course! In six modules, each with 3 short videos and questions for reflection, Ken Gergen introduces basic premises of social constructionist theory and how they apply to professional practices in all domains as well as everyday life. More details here.
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Includes six modules with videos by Taos Institute Co-founder & President Ken Gergen! | | |
Join with over 3400 members from around the world in the Taos Institute Commons online community (free) as we explore social constructionist, relational, and appreciative theory and practices. You will instantly get access to free webinars, free books, event replays, announcements, workshops and courses, special interest and language groups, and meaningful connections with others interested in creating more promising futures, one conversation at a time.
Join in the Taos Institute Commons — it's free, quick and easy, to become a part of our global family!
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A Global Community of Relational Practitioners
For more than thirty years, the Taos Institute’s work has been shaped by a global network of Associates—scholars and practitioners who share a commitment to social constructionist, relational, appreciative, and collaborative practices. Associates bring ideas, practices, and enthusiasms into the Institute’s shared spaces, where we learn from one another, exchange inspirations, and explore possibilities for more promising futures.
There are no dues or fees, and Associates connect with the Institute in many different forms based on their interests and availability. Some share their work through a webinar or course, publish a book through the free WorldShare Books series, or contribute resources, announcements, or reflections to our online community. Others connect with colleagues around the world to explore collaborations, participate in regional or special interest groups, or help spread social constructionist ideas through their networks and social media spaces. We welcome new Associates who wish to participate in ways that feel meaningful and generative to them.
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5-Week Developmental Learning Lab
October 25-November 22, 12-1:30pm ET
Lois Holzman invites all to join her in playful encounter with brilliant world shapers / world changers whose words have served as inspiration for her eclectic “Words to Ponder” column. In this 5-week course, she introduces short passages and conversations with contemporary and historical political leaders, philosophers and poets. Building upon her popular “Become a Developmentalist” workshops, she invites participants to create a hands-on, “maker space” for collective pondering and appreciation: What can we build upon and complete with these conceptual/revolutionary “offers?” How shall we open our ears and hearts, roll up our sleeves, and play with these meaty provocations? Designed as a developmental learning lab for all who are curious, this course offers a greater fluency of appreciation – a practice in “widening our gaze,” seeing “new offers,” questioning assumptions, and creative completion. More details.
| | The CMM Institute for Personal and Social Evolution, in collaboration with the Birmingham Systemic Training Programme, invites you to join us in person on June 17-18, 2027, at Midlands Arts Centre in Birmingham, UK, for our inaugural Collective Learning Conference (CLC), where we will explore diverse applications of the Coordinated Management of Meaning (CMM) related to this year’s theme of Living the Questions: Navigating Complexity and Clarity. More details. | | | One way the Taos Institute carries out its mission to create brighter futures through social construction is by creating and disseminating a wide variety of resources for scholars, practitioners, and students interested in dialogic and relational approaches. These free resources span many disciplines and languages. To suggest a resource, email info@taosinstitute.net. | | |
This month's feature: Money, Measurement, and Governance: A Relational Challenge with Kenneth J. Gergen
Recordings from the Taos Institute & Mercy University Co-Constructing Social Worlds Symposium held this February in New York City are now available! In this second Catalytic Conversation, Ken Gergen explores reimagining the systems and stories that shape our public lives as relational and responsive. How do we not split the social from the economic? Rather, see the economics as a social project, not just socially organizing? What shifts when we center connection, care, justness, and lived experience in how we organize, who (ac)counts, and what’s governed? How might we challenge taken-for-granted regressive norms to co-create more inclusive and dialogic forms of coordination across institutions, communities, and organizations–all viewed as the public sphere? Watch recording.
| | | | The Taos Institute is a non-profit educational organization. We strive to keep our offerings free or at low cost to make social constructionist, relational, and appreciative ideas available to as many people as possible around the globe. Please consider supporting our mission of creating brighter futures through social construction by making a donation. For small, convenient monthly contributions, consider becoming a sustaining donor. | | | | |
