Group Facilitation: Editorial Board

Group Facilitation: A Research and Applications Journal is a multi-disciplinary publication focused on the art and science of group facilitation. The aim of Group Facilitation is to advance our knowledge of group facilitation and its implications for individuals, groups, organizations, and communities. 

The Editorial Board of Group Facilitation is currently composed of: 

Dr. Stephen Thorpe - Editor-in-Chief

Auckland University of Technology; Zenergy Ltd., New Zealand

Stephen is a Senior Lecturer and Head of External Relations and Development for the School of Engineering, Computer and Mathematical Sciences at the Auckland University of Technology. He is the Editor-in-Chief of Group Facilitation: A Research and Applications Journal and is the Executive Secretary of Zenergy, a facilitation and facilitation training company. His research focuses on group facilitation, online team effectiveness and information security governance.

Dr. Sascha Rixon - Editor

Babel Fish Group Pty Ltd.; University of Melbourne, Melbourne

After completing an honors degree in linguistics in 2002 at the University of Queensland, Sascha travelled and worked in London in a variety of corporate environments. Returning from London Sascha spent many hours in unproductive meetings and became curious as to how effective communication could facilitate more productive meetings. In 2007 Sascha began doctoral studies at the University of Melbourne exploring language in the workplace with a focus on the language use of facilitators in facilitated workshops. Sascha has authored and co-authored articles on language use in facilitation in the Group Facilitation Journal.

Steven N. Pyser, J.D. - Editor

Pyser Group; Fox School of Business, Temple University, Philadelphia

Steven is a principal in a consulting firm that provides dialogue, strategic planning, conflict management, and synergy services to educational institutions, corporations, and nonprofit organizations. He is a member of the faculty at the University of Phoenix, Greater Philadelphia (Pennsylvania) Campuses, where he teaches undergraduate, graduate business, and management courses. Steven facilitates public conversations and dialogues and conducts workshops on diversity, issues of public importance, group facilitation skills, and conflict management. He serves on the editorial board for Conflict Resolution Quarterly and as a staff editor for the Journal of Legal Studies Education. He received his J.D. from Temple University School of Law.

 

William Staples - Publishing Editor

ICA Associates Inc., Toronto, Canada

Bill Staples is a principal, facilitator and ToP trainer for ICA Associates Inc., Toronto. He facilitates public consultation and planning for many communities and government agencies. For his contribution to the field in Canada and abroad he was inducted into the IAF Hall of Fame in 2014. Bill is the author of Transformational Strategy: Facilitating ToP Participatory Planning and has published several books and their translations for ICA Canada including The Art of Focused Conversation, The Workshop Book, Creating Community and some videos. He is on the Technology of Participation global policy group.

Dr. Andrew Rixon – Book Review Editor

Babel Fish Group Pty Ltd., Melbourne

Andrew discovered the power of storytelling at 14 during a classical guitar lesson. His teacher listened to him play mechanically and said, ‘You’ve got to tell a story. What can you picture?’ In 1999 with one of the first PhDs in Complex Systems and Complexity Science from the University of Queensland, Andrew moved to Boston and worked for a management think tank applying complexity insights to the world of organisations. The founder and director of the boutique management consulting company Babel Fish Group, Andrew works as a professional facilitator and change consultant with organisations in Australia, USA, the Netherlands and the UK. Andrew brings a spirited dynamic presence as a professional speaker, leadership coach and workshop leader.

Dr. William Reid

Bill Reid Consulting, Nelson, BC, Canada

Bill has had a distinguished career in public education and holds a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership. An innovational educator and trained facilitator, Bill has presented sessions throughout BC and the USA including the American Association of School Administrators National Convention in San Diego, Leadership Forum in Phoenix, and National School Conference Institute in New York. Bill does consulting out of his office in Nelson and speaks at conferences on a variety of leadership topics such as communications, team building, decision making, time management, planning, and goal setting.

Wiebke Herding – IAF Director of Communications and Publications

ON:SUBJECT, Amsterdam, Netherlands

Wiebke’s guiding question is: How can we collectively work towards a better world? For fifteen years this exploration has led her to campaign with social movements, serve as head of communications for international environmental organizations and as consultant working for the UN, the EU and big business. Today, she specializes in the collaborative design of change processes towards sustainability. Originally from Northern Germany her journey has taken her from a MSc in Computer Science from the University of Edinburgh and studies at the Chartered Institute of Marketing to Brussels and Amsterdam where she continued her education as a coach, Certified Professional Facilitator and practitioner in the Technology of Participation.

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