Research

My research is focused on the systemic perspective and applying this perspective in an organisational or societal setting. To work with this perspective in organisations I use the systemic constellation method. Although this method is commonly used among consultants in diverse international businesses and organizational settings, scientific literature on this method is scares. Much of the effectiveness of the method and its working mechanism is unknown. You can read more on this theory and method here.

This research includes the following activities:

• First of all, we conducted a systematic literature review, to create an overview of the current literature and get insight in the available evidence. This first step resulted in a summary of the scientific literature published in August 2021.

• I want to gain insight in how the method is used in daily practice. We know that the method is applied globally by professionals from various backgrounds and in various ways, but lack an overview and understanding in it. Also, a uniform definition of the method is not available. Currently, we are preparing a survey for trainers, coaches, facilitators, and other professionals to study these questions.

• I want to know if the method is effective and what makes the method effective. We applied systemic constellation method in workshops in the medical curriculum at Groningen University from 2017.  We started a study on the feasibility, acceptance, and effectivity of the workshops to gain insight in this educational method and to be able to optimise the training.

• I aim to gain understanding in the working mechanism of the method. How does the method relate to existing social and philosophical theories and constructs? What does explain the working mechanism? Together with researchers from other disciplines, I’m drafting an experiment on proxemics and the consistency of perception and interpretation of interpersonal distance and position. More about this approach can be found at this website.

• Finally, I want to increase my understanding of what systemic awareness is. For this I need to find out how to measure it and how it is related to other constructs, traits and skills. We set-up a student project on the definition of systemic work and how people describe the method.

  Off course all activities are interrelated. If we know more about what systemic awareness is and how the method works, we can optimise the method and improve training to help people to use this quality more efficiently. Also, I believe that an increased understanding in the systemic method adds to the general insight in how human beings ‘work’. This understanding may help to improve our relation with each other and our surrounding.

  This research line is now part of SCOPE, the Expertise centre for personal development of the University of Groningen. More details about research on the systemic constellation method and on the application in education can be found here.

  If you are interested in one of the above topic or want to be involved or contribute in any way, please contact me!