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Research Publications
Awareness-based systems change in the literature
Theory U
The publications listed below advance the field of awareness-based systems change by building the theoretical and conceptual frameworks that support transformative change.
Ansermeah, M., Proches, C. G., Bodhanya, S., & Snyders, R. | 2025 |
An interpenetrative perspective of healthcare.
In D. Burrell & C. Nyugen (Eds.), New horizons in leadership: Inclusive explorations in health, technology, and education (pp. 143–166). IGI Global. LINK
Bird, K. | 2019
Visual presencing.
In O. Gunnlaughson & W. Brendel (Eds.), Advances in Presencing (pp. 23–44). Trifoss Business Press. LINK
Bockler, J. | 2021
Presencing with soul: Transpersonal perspectives on awareness-based social change practice.
Journal of Awareness-Based Systems Change, 1(1), 15–33. LINK
Briciu, B. | 2024
Absencing as attentional violence and its impact on well-being: Loss of resonance in advanced capitalism.
Bristow, J., Bell, R., Wamsler, C., Björkman, T., Tickell, P., Kim, J., & Scharmer, O. | 2024
The system within: Addressing the inner dimensions of sustainability and systems change.
The Club of Rome. Earth4All: Deep-dive paper 17. LINK
Chlopczik, A. | 2014
Magic moments—Otto Scharmer’s Theory U and its implications for personal and organizational development.
Gestalt Theory, 36(3), 267–278. LINK
de Monthoux, P. G., & Statler, M. | 2018
Theory U: Rethinking business as practical European philosophy.
In Business education and ethics: Concepts, methodologies, tools & applications (pp. 259–268). IGI Global. LINK
Gardner, S., & Paulin, S. | 2018
The journey of self, nature, technology and sustainable organisational design: Insights for transformative leadership praxis.
In M. Brueckner, R. Spencer & M. Paull (Eds.), Disciplining the undisciplined? Perspectives from business, Society and politics on responsible citizenship, corporate social responsibility and sustainability (pp. 243–254). Springer. LINK
Giesenbauer, B., & Müller-Christ, G. | 2020 University 4.0:
Promoting the transformation of higher education institutions toward sustainable development.
Sustainability, 12(8), 3371. LINK
Gioacchino, G. | 2019
You defend what you feel: ‘Presencing’ nature as ‘experiential knowing.’
Action Research, 17(1), 108–129. LINK
Goodchild, M. | 2021
Relational systems thinking: That’s how change is going to come, from our earth mother.
Journal of Awareness-Based Systems Change, 1(1), 75–103. LINK
Gunnlaugson, O. | 2023
Advancing the field of presencing: Five principles to inform the development of emerging presencing approaches.
Journal of Awareness-Based Systems Change, 3(2), 105–128. LINK
Gunnlaugson, O., & Brendel, W. (Eds.). | 2019–2021
Advances in presencing volume I, II & III.
Trifoss Business Press. LINK
Gunnlaugson, O., Baron, C., & Cayer, M. (Eds.) | 2014
Perspectives on Theory U: Insights from the field.
IGI Global. LINK
Hayashi, A. | 2010
Feminine principle and Theory U: Character based leadership.
Oxford Leadership. LINK
Herget, J. | 2025
How to integrate corporate culture into digitalization.
In J. Herget (Ed.), Digitalization and cultural change (pp. 125–158). Springer. LINK
Jiang, G. | 2023
Collaborative leadership in team science: Dynamics of sense making, decision making, and action taking.
Frontiers in Research Metrics and Analytics, 8, 1211407. LINK
Kalungu-Banda, M. | 2006
Leadership calls for courage.
Management Today, 22(7), 18–19. LINK
King, J. | 2023
Not over but through: Toward a new model for facilitating organizational transition.
In A. K. Maheshwari (Ed.), Consciousness-based leadership and management, volume 2 (pp. 223–242). Palgrave Macmillan. LINK
Levitt Cea, J., & Rimington, J. | 2017
Creating breakout innovation.
Stanford Social Innovation Review, 15(3), 32–39. LINK
Nullens, P | 2019
From spirituality to responsible leadership: Ignatian discernment and Theory U.
In J. Kok & S.C. van den Heuvel (Eds.), Leading in a VUCA world: Integrating leadership, discernment and spirituality (pp. 185–207). Springer Open. LINK
Pavey, E. | 2021
Exploring open and relational theology and Theory U for transformational change.
Practical Theology, 14(6), 580–592. LINK
Peniwati, K. | 2025
AHP/ANP amplifies human-centered organizational transformation journey in VUCA environment.
In F. De Felice & A. Petrillo (Eds.), The art of decision making: Applying AHP in practice (pp. 19–40). IntechOpen. LINK
Peschl, M. F., & Fundneider, T. | 2013
Theory U and emergent Innovation: Presencing as a method of bringing forth profoundly new knowledge and realities.
In O. Gunnlaugson, C. Baron & M. Cayer (Eds.), Perspectives on Theory U: Insights from the field (pp. 207–233). Business Science Reference. LINK
Pomeroy, E. | 2024
Living theory: From Lewin to Scharmer.
Publication Organization Development Review, 56(3), 38. LINK
Pomeroy, E., & Herrmann, L. | 2023
Social fields: Knowing the water we swim in.
The Journal of Applied Behavioral Science, 60(4), 677–700. LINK
Salcher, A. | 2025
Cornerstones of the school of the twenty-first century in the context of sustainability and well-being.
In M. Mühlböck (Ed.), Sustainable transformation and well-being: The role of business for individual and collective flourishing (pp. 143–157). Springer. LINK
Scharmer, O. | 2001
Self-transcending knowledge: Sensing and organizing around emerging opportunities.
Journal of Knowledge Management, 5(2), 137–150. LINK
Scharmer, O. | 2008
Uncovering the blind spot of leadership.
Leader to Leader, 2008(47), 52–59. LINK
Scharmer, O. | 2016
Theory U: Leading from the future as it emerges (2nd ed.).
Berrett-Koehler Publishers. LINK
Scharmer, O. | 2018
The essentials of Theory U: Core principles and applications.
Berrett-Koehler Publishers. LINK
Scharmer, O. | 2021
The social field as a teacher: Seven principles for building transformational learning infrastructures.
In J. M. Bartunek (Ed.), Social scientists confronting global crises (pp.116–122). Routledge. LINK
Scharmer, O., & Pomeroy, E. | 2024
Fourth person: The knowing of the field.
Journal of Awareness-Based Systems Change, 4(1), 19–48. LINK
Scharmer, O., Pomeroy, E., & Kaufer, K. | 2021
Awareness-based action research: Making systems sense and see themselves.
In D. Burns, J. Howard & S. Ospina (Eds.), The SAGE handbook of participatory research. SAGE Publishing. LINK
Scharmer, O., & Kaufer, K. | 2013
Leading from the emerging future: From ego-system to eco-system economies.
Berrett-Koehler Publishers. LINK
Scharmer, O., & Kaufer, K. | 2015
Awareness-based action research: Catching social reality creation inflight.
In H. Bradbury (Ed.), The SAGE handbook of action research, 3rd ed. (pp. 199–210). SAGE Publications. LINK
Scharmer, C. O., & Kaufer, K. | 2025
Presencing: 7 Practices for transforming self, society, and business.
Berrett-Koehler Publishers. LINK
Scharmer, O., & Yukelson, A. | 2015
Turning point Theory U: From ego-system to eco-system economies.
In M. McIntosh, S. Waddell, S. Waddock, S. Cornell, D. Dentoni & M. McLachlan (Eds.), Large systems change: An emerging field of transformation and transitions. Routledge. LINK
Senge, P., Scharmer, O., & Winslow, D. | 2013
30 years of building learning communities: A dialogue with Peter Senge, Otto Scharmer and Darcy Winslow, Part 1.
Reflections, 12(4), 40–52. LINK
Senge, P., Scharmer, O., & Winslow, D. | 2013
30 years of building learning communities: A dialogue with Peter Senge, Otto Scharmer and Darcy Winslow, Part 2.
Reflections, 13(2), 1–9. LINK
Senge, P., Scharmer, O., Flowers, B.S., & Jaworski, J. | 2011
Presence: Exploring profound change in people, organizations, and society.
Nicholas Brealey Publishing. LINK
Sohmen, V.S. | 2016
Change management and Theory U leadership.
International Journal of Global Business, 9(2), 102–110. LINK
Tolkatser, M., & Rechberger, M. | 2024
Exploring reconnection to self, others, and nature through systems thinking and Theory U.
Glocality, 7(1). LINK
Veerstegen, U., & Veersteegen, L. | 2021
Social fields as an awareness-based approach to reconnect self, other, and whole.
In O. Gunnlaugson & W. Brendel (Eds.), Advances in presencing volume III: Collective approaches in Theory U (pp. 145–188). Trifoss Business Press. LINK
Wilson, P. | 2019
Otto Scharmer and the field of the future: Integrating science, spirituality, and profound social change.
In D. Szabla, W. Pasmore, M. Barnes, & A. Gipson (Eds.), The palgrave handbook of organizational change thinkers (pp. 1129–1146). Palgrave MacMillan. LINK
Wilson, P. | 2019
Theory U: Engaging global community with breadth and depth.
In P. Wilson (Ed.), The heart of community engagement: Practitioner stories from around the globe. Routledge. LINK
Winther, A., Jackman, V., & Oliver, K. | 2019
Massive open online course u.lab: Creating transformational learning in Scotland.
In M. Noble & C. Ross (Ed.), Reclaiming the university for the public good: Futures in co-operative higher (pp. 205–225). Palgrave Macmillan. LINK
Bajraktari, F., Mosse, R., & Neira Voto, G. | 2019
Transforming u.lab: Redesigning a social technology from a strategic sustainable perspective.
In O. Gunnlaughson & W. Brendel (Eds.), Advances in presencing (pp. 313–340). Trifoss Business Press. LINK
Boell, M. M., & Senge, P. | 2016
School climate and social fields: An initial exploration.
Garrison Global Collaboration for Emotional, Social and Systems Education & MIT. LINK
Briciu, B. | 2024a
Emotions and meaning in transformative learning: Theory U as a liminal experience.
Journal of Transformative Education, onlinefirst. LINK
Briciu, B. | 2024b
Theory U as case study of integral transformative learning for spiritual development in higher education.
Journal for the Study of Spirituality, 14(1), 5–20. LINK
Bweupe, B. S. | 2025
Implementing a student-centered, competence-oriented learning environment at Zambia University College of Technology (ZUT): A Theory U approach
Journal of Education and Practice, 16(2), 108–122. LINK
Carrillo, B. | 2023
Conceptualizing and enabling transformative learning through relational onto-epistemology: Theory U and the u.lab experience.
Journal of Transformative Education, 21(4). LINK
Chlopczik, A. | 2016
Conscious change, change in consciousness: Prototyping our interior condition.
In S. Sharma & M. Zirkler (Eds.), From the edge of chaos: Dialogues amongst social theory and practice (pp. 48–57). IBA Publications. LINK
Drimie, S., Hamann, R., Manderson, A.P., & Mlondobozi, N. | 2018
Creating transformative spaces for dialogue and action: Reflecting on the experience of the Southern Africa Food Lab.
Ecology and Society, 23(3). LINK
Garcia-Feijoo, M., Alcaniz, L., & Eizaguirre, A. | 2021
Shared strategic reflection process by a higher education institution: A case study.
Management in Education, 37(4). LINK
Goldman-Schuyler, K., Olsen Taylor, M., & Wolberger, O. | 2017
Bringing mindfulness and joy to work: Action research on organizational change.
In J. Neal (Ed.), Handbook of personal and organizational transformation (pp. 1193–1217). Springer. LINK
Goldman-Schuyler, K., Skjei, S., Sanzgiri, J., & Koskela, V. | 2017
Moments of waking up: A doorway to mindfulness and presence.
Journal of Management Inquiry, 26(1), 86–100. LINK
Gunnlaugson, O., & Brendel, W. (Eds.) | 2019–2021
Advances in presencing, volume I, II & III.
Trifoss Business Press. LINK
Gunnlaugson, O., Baron, C., & Cayer, M. (Eds.) | 2014
Perspectives on Theory U: Insights from the field.
IGI Global. LINK
Hakio, K., & Mattelmäki, T. | 2019
Future skills of design for sustainability: An awareness-based co-creation approach.
Sustainability, 11(19), 5247. LINK
Hentsch, R. | 2021
Italian u.lab hubs: A study and comparison of the application and adaptation of Theory U principles and practices to the specificities of a local community of learners in Rome and some other italian cities.
In O. Gunnlaugson & W. Brendel (Eds.), Advances in presencing volume III: Collective approaches in Theory U (pp. 67–84). Trifoss Business Press. LINK
Kaufer, K., & Steponaitis, L. | 2021
Just money: Mission-driven banks and the future of finance.
MIT Press. LINK
Kreitzer, M. J. | 2025
Leading systems change: A whole system healing approach.
In M. J. Kreitzer, & M. Koithan (Eds.), Integrative Nursing: A Whole Health Perspective (pp. 353–364). LINK
McLeod, N. | 2015
Reflecting on reflection: Improving teachers' readiness to facilitate participatory learning in young children.
Professional Development in Education, 41(2), 254–272. LINK
Moriggi, A., Secco, L., Pearson, K. R., & Christophilopoulos, E. | 2025
Imagining vibrant rural-mountain futures: A field-tested toolkit of 25 co-creative methods.
Research Padua Archive. LINK
O'Brian, J. | 2020
Cultivating capacity: A fieldbook for strengthening person-centred practices. Session I.
Inclusion Press. LINK
Øgland, P. | 2024
Teaching systems thinking for professional practice by use of CST and Theory U.
Systemist, 24(1), 12–51. LINK
Pasaribu, I. M., Gultom, S., & Darwin, D. | 2024
The effect of Theory U based training model on improving librarian competence in the digital era: A case study in private university libraries in Medan City.
Proceedings of the 9th Annual International Seminar on Transformative Education and Educational Leadership, Indonesia. LINK
Petitmengin, C. | 2006
Describing one’s subjective experience in the second person: An interview method for the science of consciousness.
Phenomenology and the Cognitive Sciences, 5, 229–269. LINK
Pomeroy, E., & Bernardi, N. F. | 2021
Tending the social field in higher education.
In O. Gunnlaugson & W. Brendel (Eds.), Advances in presencing volume III: Collective approaches in Theory U (pp. 85–119). Trifoss Business Press. LINK
Pomeroy, E., Herrmann, L., Jung, S., Laenens, E., Pastorini, L., & Ruiter, A. | 2021
Exploring action research from a social field perspective.
Journal of Awareness-Based Systems Change, 1(1), 105–117. LINK
Pomeroy, E., & Oliver, K. | 2018
Pushing the boundaries of self-directed learning: Research findings from a study of u.lab participants in Scotland.
International Journal of Lifelong Education, 37(6), 719–733. LINK
Pomeroy, E., & Oliver, K. | 2020
Action confidence as an indicator of transformative change.
Journal of Transformative Education, 19(1). LINK
Reijerse, C., & Kirsch, D. | 2025
Empathy walks and holding generative space: 'Otto Scharmer and Carl Rogers shake hands'.
AI Practitioner, 27(3). LINK
Rege-Colet, N. M. | 2017
From content-centred to learning-centred approaches: shifting educational paradigm in higher education.
Journal of Educational Administration and History, 49(1), 72–86. LINK
Sabaliauskas, S., Gražulis, D., Žilinskienė, N., & Kaukėnas, T. | 2024
Metacognitive strategies improve self-regulation skills in expert sports coaches.
Scientific Reports, 15. LINK
Sbardelini, R., Almeida, D., & Moreira Ramos, L. | 2022
MAPA: Co-creating new narratives for the 21st century.
Journal of Awareness-Based Systems Change, 2(1), 101–118. LINK
Somech, L. Y. | 2025
From ego to eco: A Theory U framework for understanding parental transformation in families of children with behavioral problems.
Journal of Family Theory & Review, 1–15. LINK
Van der Westhuizen, T. | 2017
Theory U and individual entrepreneurial orientation in developing youth entrepreneurship in South Africa.
Journal of Contemporary Management, 14(1). 531–553. LINK
Wanasika, I., & Krahnke, K. | 2017
Leadership and vision.
In J. Marques & S. Dhiman (Eds.), Leadership today: Practices for personal and professional performance (pp. 75–88). Springer. LINK
Wukitsch, M., Simmons, R., & Hutt, M. | 2013
Rearticulating values through applied theories at Children's Hospital Colorado.
Advances in Developing Human Resources, 15(3), 252–269. LINK
Zick, A., Lawes-Johnson, A., Schmidt Rivera, X., & Reynolds, C. | 2025
Engaging chefs in sustainable practice using Theory U to address greenhouse gas emissions and food waste.
Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, 9, 1641960. LINK
POINT: Kühl, S. | 2020
The blind spots in Theory U: The reconstruction of a (change-) management fashion.
Journal of Change Management, 20(4), 314–321. LINK
Following a long period where the concept of a learning organization was the most popular way to implement change projects, consultants have now begun to apply a program known as Theory U. A description of Theory U from a sociological perspective reveals that it has the typical structure of a management fashion. Theory U resembles a management fashion in as much as it holds out the promise that an organization — all of society, or even simply one individual—will be better off than beforehand after it has run through the various phases of the change process. Accepted for publication at J. Change Management
COUNTERPOINT: Scharmer, O. | 2020
Social systems as if people mattered: Response to the Kühl critique of Theory U.
Journal of Change Management, 20(4), 322–332. LINK
Kühl critiques Theory U as a management trend based on four claims: 1) Transforming everything simultaneously, 2) Blurring distinctions between science, economics, politics, and religion, 3) Resolving conflicts through community ideology, and 4) Relying on purposive-rational thinking. Scharmer’s response first challenges these claims as unfounded, then addresses questions Kühl overlooks. Finally, it critiques the blind spots of Kühl’s Luhmann-inspired approach and argues that Theory U, drawing on the later work of Maturana and Varela, offers an alternative foundation for social systems theory. Accepted for publication at J. Change Management
POINT: Heller, P. W. | 2019
The philosophy of theory U: A critical examination.
Philosophy of Management, 18(1), 23-42. LINK
Heller’s paper critically examines Theory U, arguing that, while it draws on thinkers like Toynbee, Nietzsche, and Husserl, Theory U misinterprets key concepts and incorporates esoteric elements that weaken its scientific rigor. Heller posits that Theory U’s visionary, even messianic, approach positions leaders as transformative agents but lacks empirical grounding. Despite these shortcomings, however, Heller points to Theory U’s innovative perspective on leadership as a valuable contribution.
COUNTERPOINT: Casado da Rocha, A., & Vallejo Morales, N. | 2022
Communities of practice for an ecology of the imagination: Thoreau’s Walden and the GAIA journey.
Artnodes, 29, 1–10;
Escobar, A. | 2018
Designs for the pluriverse: Radical interdependence, autonomy, and the making of worlds.
While not a direct response to Heller’s paper, these two critiques challenge his claims that Theory U lacks historical grounding and is philosophically incoherent. Arturo Escobar’s Designs for the Pluriverse (2018) highlights the framework’s phenomenological agency and its effort to counter the “ontology of disconnection” through relationality and futurization. Similarly, Casado da Rocha and Vallejo Morales’ Communities of Practice for an Ecology of the Imagination (2022) contextualizes Theory U within the American transcendentalist tradition, particularly Thoreau’s Walden. Specifically responding to Heller’s critique, the authors argue that Scharmer’s work does indeed align with and draws from this long-standing philosophical lineage of transformative experience. Their analysis of the GAIA Journey provides an analysis of the relationship between Theory U and American transcendentalism. In doing so, the authors understand Theory U to be a contemporary form of social art, founded on the intellectual heritage of Thoreau and others, that fosters collective imagination for socio-cultural transformation.
Bird, K. | 2018
Ecosystem activation.
Kelvy Bird. LINK
Carmel, A. | 2019
Coaching circles: A vehicle for and ego- to eco shift in organizations.
Medium. Link
Duval, R. | 2020
How could regeneration increase social equality in Govanhill, Glasgow? A systems mapping event using Social Presencing Theatre reflections and outcomes of an action research project.
Medium. LINK
Hayashi, A., & Dutra, R. | 2019
Social reality contemplation: A performance-led approach to making visible deep layers of social fields.
Medium. LINK
Pomeroy, E. | 2022
Social fields: Shifting the quality of our collective being.
Medium. LINK
Scharmer, O., & Pomeroy, E. | 2019
Social field resonance: How to research the deep structure of the social system.
Medium. LINK
Scharmer, O., & Pomeroy, E. | 2020
Action confidence: Laying down the path in walking.
Medium. LINK
Bajraktari, F., Mosse, R., & Voto, G. N. | 2016
Transforming u.lab: Re-designing a participatory methodology using a strategic sustainable perspective
[Master thesis: Blekinge Institute of Technology]. BTH. LINK
Beltrán, M. | 2025
Navigating sustainable futures: Guiding designers in regenerative design practice
[Master thesis: Department of Design, Hochschule Anhalt]. LINK
Bryant, J. | 2012
Being human in the system: A journey into sustainability and local government in Perth, Western Australia
[Master thesis: Lund University]. LUB Student Papers. LINK
Carmel, A. | 2019
The relationship between participation in a Coaching Circle and empathy, self-awareness and locus of control
[Master thesis: Vrije Universiteit]. LINK
Chieko, A., Coletinha, E., & Villoch, P. | 2010
An exploratory journey into sustainability changemakers learning programs
[Master thesis: Blekinge Institute of Technology]. BTH. LINK
Duval, R. | 2020
A systems analysis of the social impact of regeneration: A case study of Govanhill, Glasgow using Theory U to co-create transformative intervention proposals to enable socially equitable regeneration
[Master thesis: Graduate School of the Environment, Centre for Alternative Technology/University of East London]. LINK
Fundira, T. | 2018
Rethinking organizational learning using Theory U: An ontological approach to strategic leadership
[Doctoral dissertation: Graduate School of Business and Leadership, University of KwaZulu-Natal]. University of KwaZulu-Natal. LINK
Galinski, J. | 2024
Exploring health care consumers perceptions of health care pricing transparency mandates
[Doctoral dissertation, A.T. Still University]. ProQuest. LINK
Giacchetto, M. | 2018
Development of professional capital in the PLC analyzed through the lens of Theory U
[Doctoral dissertation: St. John's University]. ProQuest. LINK
Hakio, K. | 2023
Turning inwards in transformative co-design: Cultivating the interconnectedness of internal and external change
[Doctoral dissertation, Aalto University]. Aalto University publication series. LINK
Hautle, G. T. | 2018
Responsible leadership development in the context of Deep Ethics and Theory U
[Master thesis: Zurich University of Applied Sciences]. ZHAW Digital Collection. LINK
Haverlag, A. A., Brons, A. J., Schoonhoven-Speijer, M. H. A., & Annema, J. A. | 2025
Socially sustainable food hubs in Amsterdam
[Master thesis: Wageningen University & Research Technische Universiteit Delft ]. LINK
Hogan, M. | 2024
Supervenience and non-naturalism
[Doctoral dissertation, University of Arkansas]. ScholarWorks@UARK. LINK
Hoy, S., Sarker, C.S., & Schmidt, E.K. | 2018
Planting seeds for the future: Sustainability, Theory U, and youth
[Master thesis: Blekinge Institute of Technology]. BTH. LINK
Ibro Ayouba, A. | 2024
Opening mind, heart and will: Timidria’s ecosystemic leadership toward social change and eradicating slavery in Niger
[Doctoral dissertation, University of Central Arkansas]. ProQuest. LINK
Kamran, R. | 2025
Conceptualizing a strategy to improve transitions between healing and recovery services for people with spinal cord injuries in Alberta
[Doctoral dissertation: Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Alberta]. LINK
Kimmie, R. | 2012
A constructivist approach to Theory U as a transformation model in academic development within South African higher education
[Doctoral dissertation: University of KwaZulu-Natal]. University of KwaZulu-Natal. LINK
Legind, S. | 2024
The connecting power of eurythmy: How eurythmy and Theory U can work together to bring about ‘presencing experiences’ and bridge divides
[Master thesis, Alanus Hochschule].
McClelland, A. | 2014
Going beyond ‘getting it right’ in a mindfulness organization with Theory U
[Master thesis: Concordia University]. Concordia Library. LINK
Moodley, K. | 2017
Toward eco-system awareness: An inquiry into the ontological processes of Theory U
[Doctoral dissertation: Graduate School of Business and Leadership, University of KwaZulu-Natal].
Northcutt, C. | 2019
Changemakers bend the beam inward: Contemplative practices in social innovation education
[Master thesis: University of San Diego]. Digital USD. LINK
Pater, E., Keim, L., & Lang, P. | 2022
‘Out of your mind’: The embodied pedagogy of Social Presencing Theatre for sustainability
[Master thesis: Blekinge Institute of Technology]. BTH. LINK
Richardson, J. | 2025
Forming of economies of wellbeing through responsive practice in everyday life
[Doctoral thesis, University of Plymouth]. PEARL. LINK
Ruff, J. | 2019
Shifting perspective on agriculture: How young regenerative farmers in South Africa discover their metabolic value in a globalised world
[Master thesis: Albert-Ludwigs-Universität/University of Cape Town]. LINK
Stadler, A. | 2022
Creating spaces for development in organizations: Unlocking potential through deep listening
[Master thesis: Universität Salzburg & University of Salzburg Business School]. LINK
Sum, S. N. W. | 2024
Cultivating teacher innovative behavior through generative systems leadership
[Doctoral dissertation, Johns Hopkins University]. Johns Hopkins Libraries. LINK
Van der Westhuizen, T. | 2016
Developing individual entrepreneurial orientation: A systemic approach through the lens of Theory U
[Doctoral dissertation: University of KwaZulu-Natal].
van Droffelaar, B. | 2020
The impact of a wilderness-based training program on leadership transformation
[Doctoral dissertation: Graduate School of Social Sciences, Wageningen University]. Wageningen University & Research. LINK
Verbist, K. | 2019
Bringing the future into the classroom: Action research based on Theory U: Impact of a student-centered competence-oriented learning environment on learning approach
[Master thesis: University of Antwerp]. LINK
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Social Arts
The work below focuses on the application, impact and development of Social Presencing Theater, Visual Practice and Social Poetics as research tools.
Social Presencing Theater
Bosch, M., Ovchinnikov, F., Benifand, K., Smith, N. J., Orschulik, M., Hingley, G., & Pucci, E.L. | 2018
Collaboration incubator *18.
Thriving Resilient Communities Collaboratory. LINK
Dutra Gonçalves, R., & Grocott, L. | 2024
Awareness-based design: Bringing design to Social Presencing Theater.
Journal of Awareness-Based Systems Change, 4(2), 87–122. LINK
Dutra Gonçalves, R., & Hayashi, A. | 2021
A pattern language for social field shifts: Cultivating embodied and perceptual capacities of social groups through aesthetics and social field archetypes.
Journal of Awareness-Based Systems Change, 1(1), 35–57. LINK
Dutra Goncalves, R., & Karp, U. | 2019
Emerging design and the embodiment of social transformation.
In Cornejo, P. (Ed.), Unfolding: Education and design for social innovation (pp. 44–56). Centro. LINK
Hayashi, A., & Mount, B. [Beth Mount]. | 2012
Capacity works: Exploring possibilities with Social Presencing Theater at Job Path
[Video]. YouTube. LINK
Hayashi, A. | 2010
Feminine principle and Theory U.
Oxford Leadership Journal. LINK
Hayashi, A. | 2021
Social Presencing Theatre (SPT): How do we listen to our body knowing to access the wisdom that lives in us?
In O. Gunnlaugson & W. Brendel (Eds.), Advances in presencing volume III: Collective approaches in Theory U (pp. 25–41). Trifoss Business Press. LINK
Hayashi, A. | 2021
Social Presencing Theatre: The art of making a true move.
PI Press. LINK
Hayashi, A., & Gonçalves, R. D. | 2022
A studio-based practice for future-making.
Routledge Handbook for Creative Futures. LINK
Jelden, J. | 2024
Sociodrama meets Social Presencing Theater on a bricoleur’s journey.
Zeitschrift für Psychodrama und Soziometrie, 23, 119–133. LINK
Ludevig, D. | 2015
Using embodied knowledge to unlock innovation, creativity, and intelligence in business.
Organizational Aesthetics, 5(1) 150–166. LINK
Visual Practice
Agerbeck, B., Bird, K., Bradd, S., & Shepherd, J. (Eds.). | 2016
Drawn together through visual practice.
Visual Practice Publishing. LINK
Bird, K. | 2018
Generative scribing: A social art of the 21st century.
PI Press. LINK
Heckman, S. | 2023
The how and why of visual practice at UN climate negotiations.
New England Journal of Public Policy, 35(2), Article 6. LINK
Social Poetics
Stubley, J. | 2023
Social poetry: Introduction to foundations and tools.
Journal of Awareness-Based Systems Change, 3(2), 75–104. LINK
Social Arts
Peltereau-Villeneuve, A., & Hayashi, A. | 2024
A social art experience: Reflections and learnings from a social art residency and performance.
Medium. LINK
Presencing Institute. | 2024
Social arts: Sourcing from the whole.
Medium. LINK
Visual Practice
Bird, K. | 2021
Developing action-confidence: Through the lens of a scribe.
Medium. LINK
Bird, K., & Dulski, E. | 2023
AI and Scribing: An Infinite Loop.
Medium. LINK
Pomeroy, E. | 2023
The origins of Generative Scribing: An interview with Kelvy Bird.
Medium. LINK
Social Presencing Theater
Dutra, R. | 2019
Social reality contemplation: A performance-led approach to making visible deeper layers of social fields.
Medium. LINK
Gregory, T. | 2018
Embodied learning: Using SPT tools in class subjects as a way of embodied learning.
Medium. LINK
Hayashi., A. | 2022
The language of Social Presencing Theater: Words that express the wordless.
Medium. LINK
Hayashi, A. & Dutra, R. | 2019
Aesthetics: A pattern language for social field shifts.
Medium. LINK
Hayashi, A. & Dutra, R. | 2019
Photography: Using ‘postcards’ as an empathy probe.
Medium. LINK
Hayashi, A. & Dutra, R.| 2019
Using video as an ‘empathy probe’ in K12 education.
Medium. LINK
O'Donnell, J. | 2020
The origins of Social Presencing Theater.
Medium. LINK
Social Poetics
Srivastava, M. | 2019
Longing for dignity: Transforming human trafficking ecosystem.
The Sacred Well. LINK
Srivastava, M. | 2021
Can poetry heal collective trauma?
Medium. LINK
Acoustic Arts
Moya, D. | 2022
Making music together: A generative sound journey in Hawai’i.
Medium. LINK
Dutra Goncalves, R. | 2016
Designing learning environments for social dreaming: From inquiry to insight, and action.
FABLEARN 2016: Annual Conference on Creativity and Making in Education. Graduate School of Education, Stanford University. LINK
Hayashi, A. | 2017
Social Presencing Theatre - Arawana Hayashi at wisdom together Oslo 2017
[Video]. YouTube. LINK
van Rhyn, C., Huggins, H., Øverland, I., & Dutra Goncalves, R.| 2019
Future-making in education through Social Presencing Theatre: an awareness-based anticipatory methodology.
Anticipation Conference. Oslo, Norway. LINK
Dutra Goncalves, R. | 2016
Social dreaming: From inquiry to insight and action
[MFA thesis: Parsons School of Design]. ACM Digital Library. LINK
Dutra, R. | 2023
Awareness-based design: The role of making aware for a transformative learning practice
[Doctoral dissertation, Monash University]. LINK
Moya-Latorre, T. | 2024
Celebratory insurgency: The art of peripheral city-making
[Doctoral dissertation, Cornell University]. LINK
Overland, I. | 2019
Students’ experience with Social Presencing Theatre and how this can facilitate deeper learning processes
[Master thesis:University of Stavanger]. LINK
Pater, E., Keim, L., & Lang, P. | 2022
‘Out of your mind’: The embodied pedagogy of Social Presencing Theater for sustainability
[Master programme in Strategic Leadership towards Sustainability]. DiVa. LINK
