Related Subject Area
2026
The Relational Arc of Coaching: A Practice-Led Exploration of Co-Creating Insight into Action
The Relational Arc enables learning to unfold between coach and leader as they navigate their dynamic. It offers a shared language and structure for working together with intention and systemic awareness, while remaining attuned to the emotional, biological, and contextual dynamics that shape behaviour.
2026
The Changing Social Politics of Meat: a systems psychodynamic exploration of the complex dynamics surrounding behaviour and conversations about the treatment of animals and meat eating
Using a systems psychodynamic approach, this thesis explores the social defences and complex dynamics (conscious and unconscious) surrounding behaviour and conversations about the treatment of animals and meat eating. It is an exploration of the ‘social politics of meat’, in other words, what people talk about, and don’t talk about, with regards to the eating of animals. A major intent behind the research is to raise awareness and encourage discussions about the current plight of farmed animals, particularly those within industrial agriculture, i.e. factory farms, in Western, developed countries. Within the field of anthrozoology, much research has been done on how humans relate and interact with animals, but to date there has been little study into how people relate to one another, about the eating of animals. Taking a wide interdisciplinary approach, the thesis integrates the fields of systems psychodynamics and anthrozoology and presents many parallels between the two. Using the systems psychodynamics research methods of auto- ethnographic stories, socio-analytic interviewing, socio-analytic drawing and focus group discussions, as well as background knowledge from the discipline of anthrozoology, the research explores the core question: what are the current social politics of meat in Australia, as representative of Western, developed countries? The thesis also narrates the journey of the researcher as she explores the core question, stumbles through the ethical minefield of asking others to help her explore discomforting topics, and ‘lives’ the research. Constantly questioning herself, her views, feelings, power and influence is a key part of the work. Three hypotheses are presented on the issue. The first suggests a collective social dynamic coined by the researcher as ‘meat-eating fragility’. A second discusses the entwined systemic influences which all encourage and promote the eating of animals, creating an almost impenetrable barrier to change. The third suggests that the phenomenon of meat- eating fragility is both a defence against change, and a sign of change, as is the small group of outliers challenging the dominant invisible ideology of carnism. This thesis explores and challenges hidden paradigms, worldviews and values around the eating of meat. The exploration uncovers collective denial, dissociation, and collusion about the plight of farmed animals in Western, developed nations. Nonetheless, the final hypothesis and suggestions for further research are both optimistic and hopeful.
2005
Intersubjectivity and Large Groups: A systems psychodynamic perspective
This thesis argues the importance of the quality of relation between the individual and the large group in work organisations. The main thrust of this argument is that where relations between the individual and the large organisation are mutually recognising both the individual and the large organisation benefit. The research explores three unstructured large groups through experiences of participants. The conceptual framework underpinning the research follows system psychodynamic traditions. These traditions support in depth exploration of both conscious and unconscious aspects of group life. A multi case study design allows analysis of each of the case studies of the large groups, first separately and then together. Each of the single case analyses reveals patterns of interaction that are thought about as defense against the difficulties of being in the particular large group. The findings of the single case studies then become data for the multicase analysis. In the multicase analysis intersubjective theory is introduced. These theories, along with traditional system psychodynamic theories, allow opportunity to deeply consider the way in which individuals relate to the large group, and the impact of this relation on the formation and development of the large group. The multicase analysis shows the difficulties group members had in asserting themselves and finding recognition in each of the large groups. The analysis also shows that despite these problems members continued to seek a recognising relation to the large group. This type of recognition, ‘large group recognition’, is distinguished from recognition found within interpersonal relations. The multicase data suggests group members found large group recognition through direct and representative relations to the formal authorities and through subgroup competition. However, this recognition appeared to be characterised by dynamics of domination and submission rather than by mutual recognition. In intersubjective terms this is the dialectic of the master and slave. Recognition garnered through a master slave dynamic is understood to be compromised and vi deplete of the self-affirming qualities of mutuality. Consequently, where large group culture and structure are characterised by, and perpetuate master slave dynamics, the large group and the individual do not function optimally. This is proposed as the circumstance in the large groups of this study. Specifically, it is argued that the large size of the groups, along with tendencies towards patriarchal structure and culture, were instrumental in fostering master slave dynamics in each of the groups. To conclude the thesis the research findings are considered with respect to large work organisations. This discussion explores the value of organisational contexts informed by mutuality, most particularly as organisations face the challenges of the post industrial era.