OS for science?

[Peggy Holman]

Lynn,

Fred Hutchison Cancer Research Center used OS specifically to bring together scientists who normally didn't talk to each other because of their different disciplines.  The story is in the opening of the chapter on Open Space Technology from The Change Handbook.  The excerpt follows.

Peggy


Here is a system-wide, long-term Open Space story from Anne Stadler, an Open Space practitioner of many years:
 

In May, 1996, 120 faculty, students and staff from all Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (FHCRC) divisions attended an unusual two day retreat.  Focusing on the theme: "Integrating basic, clinical and epidemiological sciences to understand human biology and disease," they used Open Space Technology to initiate conversations and generate practical activities. 

 

It took foresight and courage to bring this about.  The FHCRC, 2,000 people strong, was organized by traditional scientific disciplines.  It is a global leader in cancer research.  So, why tamper with success?  

 

Dr. Lee Hartwell, a highly respected geneticist initiated the effort.  He believed that only through synthesizing basic, clinical and population sciences would we understand fundamentals of human biology and disease.  The crucial answers would no longer come from isolated pursuits of different disciplines.  Hartwell chose Open Space Technology to support maximum opportunity for self-organizing.  He felt this would reveal the nascent leadership opportunities for collaboration, learning and action. The choice had his colleagues scratching their heads.  People asked: "Who are the speakers?  What is the agenda?"  When told they would create it on the spot, most colleagues were skeptical. Once confronted with an open agenda and invited to take responsibility for what they cared about, leaders emerged to convene conversations.

 

That first meeting generated several cross-disciplinary initiatives including a monthly graduate and post-graduate seminar; internal web pages for each laboratory; a dual-mentored training program; several interdisciplinary courses, mini-courses, workshops and lectures.   The event unleashed new leadership and enthusiastic participation. 

 

In 1997, Dr. Hartwell was named FHCRC President/Director.  His first act: convening another center-wide Open Space.   This created new relationships and projects including a long-term, four-division interdisciplinary research program, more courses, some reorganization, and on-going work on diversity and leadership development.  Reflecting on the FHCRC's year-old Open Space era, Hartwell said: "I have found that leadership in daily actions and issues is key.  To effect significant change, many people must become leaders."

 

FHCRC's current challenge is becoming a continuous open space learning community, fostering efficient communication among multiple sites with different cultures.  Kim Wells, Organization Development Director, keeps the space open for the evolving learning community.  She reports: "I've been offering classes in leadership of complex systems; we've started regular two-hour Open Space learning exchanges and we are considering an Open Space on diversity within the year. Using our Intranet for communication and tracking what people are doing and learning is a future prospect."

 

Based on Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center's two years of experience, opening space in an organization has these cycles: 

 

·        Convening the circle (calling all relevant stakeholders together on a timely and relevant subject); 

·        Revealing the leadership and diversity present (through self-organizing a marketplace); 

·        Manifesting practical outcomes in day to day work; 

·        Supporting the leadership in oneself and others to respond to emergent realities and possibilities; and 

·        Sharing learning through reflection and storytelling.  

 

Reprinted with permission of the publisher.  From The Change Handbook: Group Methods for Shaping the Future, copyright ©1999 by Peggy Holman and Tom Devane, Berrett-Koehler Publishers, Inc., San Francisco, CA.  All rights reserved.  1-800-929-2929

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Lynn Myhal 
  To: OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU 
  Sent: Monday, March 25, 2002 3:39 PM
  Subject: OS for science?


  Does anyone know if OS has been used to facilitate a conversation among scientists who would not normally interact because of their disciplines?  This conference is being held for exactly that purpose and the chairs are worried that the standard talk - talk - talk format won't work to stimulate ideas across disciplines. 

  Lynn Myhal
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.openspacetech.org/pipermail/oslist-openspacetech.org/attachments/20020325/6395cffa/attachment-0017.htm>