Narrate at the UN Data Literacy workshop, November 2018
by Tony Quinlan on Nov 16, 2018 5:07:18 PM
Our CEO and Chief Storyteller, Tony Quinlan, spoke on Thursday 15th November 2018 at the Bangkok workshop on UN Data Literacy. Talking about using ethnography in-field, he discussed projects we’ve undertaken with Cognitive Edge’s SenseMaker tools. His slides from the conference are do …
Reflections on developing a SenseMaker framework to understand company culture
by Tony Quinlan on Nov 5, 2018 10:32:06 AM
Two examples of SenseMaker triads for exploring company culture
Complexity in development - a new kind of course, booking open now
by Tony Quinlan on May 29, 2018 4:41:57 PM
For decision-makers and policy experts in aid and development, complexity in development has become a critical factor. It is both an opportunity for new approaches to old problems and a threat as standard approaches reach the limits of their effectiveness and efficacy. With that in mi …
Social cohesion or social coherence? Thoughts on identities in a fractured society
by Tony Quinlan on May 22, 2018 11:58:37 AM
I woke to the radio at 7am. My first thought as they read the news headlines was “I must have misheard that,” then as the slightly-longer version kicked in I realised that I hadn’t. It was 24th June 2016. The day after the UK referendum on staying in Europe. The close vote was “51.89% …
Using SenseMaker to understand girls' lives - a case study from GirlEffect
by Tony Quinlan on Mar 19, 2018 6:02:08 PM
I've realised that site changes mean that one of the best case studies of using SenseMaker® in field has disappeared from both the Cognitive Edge and GirlEffect websites.
Working with SenseMaker - experiences from the field with UNDP
by Tony Quinlan on Feb 20, 2018 2:29:44 PM
If you’re thinking of running a SenseMaker project – I’d strongly recommend reading these first.
SenseMaker and social change dynamics - slides and video
by Tony Quinlan on Dec 27, 2017 11:38:15 AM
This week, Tony joined fellow complexity explorer Marcus Jenal for a webinar hosted by Laurie Webster for Cognitive Edge. Looking at social change, both presenters talked about recent experiences of using SenseMaker to explore social and attitudinal change. The webinar was recorded an …
Mrs Trellis, red-shirts and savings - the limits of text analysis
by Tony Quinlan on Oct 29, 2017 12:21:56 PM
I've just finished Tim Harford's excellent Messy (paperback just out) alongside Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa's The Leopard and both have thrown up examples of phrases that brought a smile to my face and, along with an example from a conference earlier this year, highlight one of my co …
SenseMaker contours of narrative - how a culture might evolve, where a culture won't shift
by Tony Quinlan on Oct 12, 2017 9:20:03 AM
Moving cultural beliefs and patterns is tough - the way that people behave generates micro-narratives and stories that then inform (constrain) how other people behave. Feedback loops and patterns that can strengthen over time, making change seem impossible*. In our work with SenseMake …
UNDP Innovation Conversation on Complexity 27 September, 2017 - video available
by Tony Quinlan on Oct 4, 2017 9:51:52 AM
Last week, Tony gave a talk at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on Navigating Complex Adaptive Systems. Brilliantly hosted by the UNDP Innovation team, particularly Malika, the video from the hour-long presentation is here