Reflective and autoethnographic practices in VUCA times (Fulbright Seminar)

17th October 11:45am-3pm, Gillian Reynolds Room, Blackburne House (the reception team will direct you on arrival).

Join our Research Seminar to:

• Learn the latest research on human and organisation development in VUCA times
• Expand your reflective and autoethnographic practices relevant to volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity
• Explore arts-based practices and frameworks for acting to deepen and broaden your own and others' VUCA readiness
• Work collaboratively alongside our Fulbright Specialist and other autoethnographic practitioners

Reflective and autoethnographic practices in VUCA times (Fulbright Research Seminar)

Reflective and autoethnographic practices combine the personal with the societal, cultural, and environmental - which is why they have such potential for transformation. At the same time, how do our reflective and autoethnographic practices embrace volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous (VUCA) situations and contexts? (Or indeed BANI - Brittle, Anxious, Nonlinear, Incomprehensible). How are our practices serving us, societies and cultures, to build VUCA-relevant capacities for the future and for personal and systemic challenge? We explore ways to take our experience seriously for our ongoing growth and development.

This research Seminar is an interactive reflective and autoethnographical experience which uniquely brings together a Fulbright Specialist in inclusive human and organisational development, with scholars utilising autoethnographic practice for transformation. This workshop is supported by Liverpool Business School in partnership with the Fulbright Commission.

Eligibility

This event is for researchers, educationalists, trainers, coaches, consultants, instructional designers who are involved in teaching, learning, or assessment.

Indicative schedule

11.45 - Arrival, registration and settling in to our micro-communities

12.00 - Welcome and introduction over lunch - Tony Wall

12.20 - Lightning Talk: “Advances in development in VUCA times and what’s on the horizon?” - Professor Laura Bierema, Fulbright Specialist

12.30 - Initial explorations in small groups of strategies and tactics of how to weave VUCA readiness into our reflective and autoethnographic practices

12.50 - Whole group feedback and learning - Tony Wall

1.00 - Lightning Talk: Precarious arts-performance autoethnographies and framework for acting - Tony Wall

1.10 - Crafting precarious performances in groups as ways to weave VUCA into our reflective and autoethnographical practices - Tony Wall

1.35 - Whole group feedback and learning - Tony Wall

1.50 - Lightning Talk: Living and breathing complexities - Kevin Flinn

2.00 - Enacting in groups to weave VUCA/BANI into our reflective and autoethnographical practices

2.30 - Whole group feedback and learning - Tony Wall

2.45 - Closing reflections and next steps for living VUCA - Professor Laura Bierema, Fulbright Specialist

3.00 Close

• is our Fulbright Commission Specialist visiting from the University of Georgia in the US. Professor Bierema was a President of the Academy of Human Resource Development, and has won multiple awards for her research and leadership, including for her work in organisation and women’s development in volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous settings.
• is co-founder of LiRICS and integrates research practices across business, arts, education, and health. He recently completed a 4-year performance autoethnographic study embracing VUCA through arts-based methods and is now using Legislative Theatre as a policy research method. He is ranked #1 in Google Scholar for 'management development' and 'management learning' (non-retired), and is lead editor of the open access Sustainability Teaching for Impact (2025).
• is Senior Lecturer at Liverpool Business School focuses on leadership and OD with a special (and specialist) focus on complexity and group analytic perspectives on management, organisation, change, group process and citizenship. He is author of (2nd edition, 2023) and (2025).

Prework

There is no prework.

Please bring

Refillable, recycled water bottles are welcome!

Lunch and refreshments will be provided, please tell us about your dietary and access requirements.

Location

Blackburne House, Blackburne Place, Liverpool L8 7PE.

At reception, ask for the: Gillian Reynolds Room.

You can walk to the venue from Lime Street Station (18 mins) or Liverpool Central (17 mins).

Entry is through Falkner Street, and the Google Maps location is here: https://goo.gl/maps/E6EZ5m1tX2JxLDv98. Details of the venue are here.

Parking

There is very limited onsite parking at Blackburne House, and it can be pre-booked through Just Park (make a booking here justpark.com/180405 – but please note parking is subject to availability and purchasing a ticket does not guarantee a space). Entry is through Falkner Street, and the Google Maps location is here: https://goo.gl/maps/E6EZ5m1tX2JxLDv98. In addition, there are many paid car parking options within walking distance (e.g. on Mount Pleasant and on Brownlow Hill). Please visit ncp.co.uk, yourparkingspace.co.uk, justpark.com, or liverpool.gov.uk.

Travel

The closest train stations are: Liverpool Lime Street (connections nationally) and Liverpool Central (local connections). Contact nationalrail.co.uk on 08457484950.

Hotels

Examples of local hotels include: Hope Street Hotel (2 mins walk from Blackburne House), Quest Liverpool City Centre (13 mins), The Liner Hotel (16 mins), Radisson RED Liverpool (16 mins), Doubletree by Hilton Liverpool (20 mins), Heeton Concept Hotel (21 mins), Leonardo Hotel Liverpool (21 mins).

Wifi

Wifi is available free of charge in Blackburne House.

Event organisers and supporters

This event is brought to you by: (LBS) - LBS is an engaged and inclusive business school at the heart of the Liverpool City Region with social, environmental, and economic impact beyond borders. LBS is committed to the advancement of gender equality and co-founded and its inclusive transitions network to promote diversity, inclusion, and equality as a driver for sustainable development.

- The Fulbright Specialist Programme enables UK universities to host a leading US academic or professional to deepen global perspectives, work on issues that require a rapid response, and build sustained relationships.

The to embed ethics, responsibility, and sustainability in business and management education. The PRME UK & Ireland Chapter supports universities in advancing the UN SDGs, with regional networks driving collaboration. This event is co-hosted by the .Keep up to date with opportunities: follow and on LinkedIn.

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Host or Publisher LiRICS