Professional Learning in Higher Education and Communities

"It is rare to find such an exceptional contribution to knowledge and change as this new book by leading world scholars on action research and professional learning." - Professor Jonathan Jansen, Vice-Chancellor, University of the Free State, South Africa "This thought-provoking book provides a treasure trove even for experienced readers in the field." - Emeritus Professor Stephan Laske, University of Innsbruck, Austria "The richness of this book is that it seeks to influence higher education by bringing together a conceptual framework that integrates developments in neuroscience, critical thinking and reflection, action research and professional learning and which is applied to real life cases." - Dr David Coghlan, Associate Professor, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland "This new book offers a provocative and expansive look at its focus, the use of action learning and action research in the professional learning of people in a range of contexts. The authors have solid practical and research experience in diverse countries, which they bring to bear on the topic." - Dr Pip Bruce Ferguson, Teaching Development Unit, University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand "The authors pitch PALAR as an all-encompassing way of learning, researching and living in both professional and informal contexts. Drawing on their extensive experience as facilitators of organisational, professional and community development, they offer easy-to-understand explanations of very complex philosophical issues." -Professor Lesley Wood, North West University, South Africa "This work provides an important response to calls to simplify educational research by forcing complex and challenging questions into ever more narrow methodological channels when what is required is the kind of expansive and creative questions and responses suggested here." - Professor Mary Brydon-Miller, Director, Action Research Centre, Educational Studies and Urban Educational Leadership, University of Cincinnati, USA "This book is not a quick read. It is enlightening and provocative. And for the scholar practitioner of action research it draws together disparate ideas, concepts and methodological activity into a comprehensive framework that will deepen understanding and enhance praxis." -Dr Wendy Rowe, Associate Professor, School of Leadership Studies, Royal Roads University, Canada "The book provides a tantalising treat for anyone facilitating, or engaged in, professional learning, community capacity building or organisational development." -Dr Ron Passfield, Adjunct Professor, Australian Institute of Business (AIB), Adelaide, Australia "As an advocate of lifelong learning for all, I warmly endorse this thought-provoking book." - Dr Richard Teare, Co-Founder and President, Global University for Lifelong Learning

By integrating neuroscience and social science, this book introduces a bold new vision of Participatory Action Learning and Action Research (PALAR). The authors explain and enhance the art of action research through PALAR as a philosophy, methodology and theory of learning and as a facilitation process for professional learning and social justice.By integrating neuroscience and social science, this book introduces a bold new vision of Participatory Action Learning and Action Research (PALAR). The authors explain and enhance the art of action research through PALAR as a philosophy, methodology and theory of learning and as a facilitation process for professional learning and social justice.