I am because we are.

How can I improve my practice? The emergence of a living theory of responsive practice.

Abstract of PhD Submission

Marian Naidoo

I am a story teller and the focus of this narrative is on my learning and the development of my living educational theory as I have engaged with others in a creative and critical practice over a sustained period of time.

This narrative demonstrates how I have encouraged people to work creatively, critically and imaginatively in order to improve the way they relate and communicate in a multi-professional healthcare setting in order to improve both the quality of care provided and the well being of the system.

In telling the story of the unique development of my responsive practice I will show how I have been influenced by the work of theatre practitioners such as Augusto Boal, educational theorists such as Paulo Freire and drawn on, incorporated and developed ideas from complexity theory. This original account of my emerging practice challenges the dominant management theories of life in organisations which focus on command and control and the reduction of uncertainty rather than as is explored in this thesis, developing the capacity to live creatively within uncertainty by exploring identity, strengthening relationships and improving communication.