From Social Construction to Relational Construction: Practices from the Edge

• DOI: 10.1007/s12646-011-0125-7
• Publication Date: 2011-10-13T13:31:04Z
• Authors: Sheila McNamee
• Keywords: Reflexivity; Discipline; Common ground

In this paper, I talk about Ken Gergen’s influence in the communication discipline. Beginning with his ground-breaking publications in the 1970’s (Gergen 1973, 1978), we see him challenging the taken for granted separation of theory and practice, scholar and practitioner. One of Ken’s many contributions–regardless of disciplinary domain–has been the nurturing of forms of practice being developed by creative and innovative practitioners and young scholars alike. There are several key resources that are woven throughout Ken’s work that have continued to inspire and influence practitioners working in mental health, healthcare, organizations, schools, communities, and peace building endeavors. The most central of these resources include (1) centering relational processes which, in turn, generate the expansion of (2) collaborative, participatory practices that embrace alternative worldviews through a (3) a reflexive stance. Ken has challenged himself and all of us to stay on the edge because it is on the edge that new relational possibilities can be created. He has invited us to embrace the edge as the place of great comfort; comfort in knowing that there will always be possibilities for forging new ways of making meaning together.