Ali the Researcher

Working with Ali has been a real treat!  

I'm in the Middle East doing some action research into health systems and emergency care with colleagues from Ashridge. Our action research approach is anchored in Appreciative Inquiry and we have been developing the inquiry protocols alongside our organisational clients.  While we are able to bring technical expertise, action research is an inquiry process that is carried out with​ people rather than on​ people and getting folk involved as fellow researchers adds an extra dimension to the work. 

And so that we hold to a seriously participative approach, we have been working with a small group of local co-researchers ​who are quickly finding their way with this way of doing research and business change.  Together, we are discovering loads of data which will help our clients as they continue to build and improve their organisation; not in the least that people here enjoy the diverse and exciting culture. 

That is how I came to be making pictures with Ali - we were working together, learning our way into participative action inquiry, having a great time and then the cameras appeared. Actually, I think he started it!

He said he wanted a 'serious' photograph.  

Well, even if he is smiling in this picture, it's fair to say that there is some 'serious' photography happening here....;-)​