Unlearning, critical action learning and wicked problems

Abstract

This paper explores the idea of unlearning in Critical Action Learning (CAL) as applied to the wicked problems of organisations and societies. It draws on data and ideas developed during a research project conducted for Skills for Care by Pedler, Abbott, Brook and Burgoyne (Skills for Care 2014) and from experiences on development programmes for social workers on action learning facilitation in 2012 and 2013 with Christine Abbott of the Centre for Action Learning Facilitation (C-ALF).

Keywords:

• unlearning
• action learning
• wicked problems
• social work

Notes on contributors

Mike Pedler is a co-director of C-alf and Emeritus Professor at Henley Business School, University of Reading.

Shih-wei Hsu teaches in the Business School at the University of Nottingham, Ningbo, China. His interests and publications include entrepreneurship programmes and alternative learning organisations.