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Welcome to The A.K. Rice Institute for the Study of Social Systems

Celebrating 40 Years
1970 - 2010 

The A.K. Rice Institute is a community of teachers, students and practitioners of a discipline know as Group Relations.

Group Relations* offers a powerful and unique methodology for understanding how our unconscious (unintentionally hidden thoughts and feelings) significantly impacts our lives when we are in groups; from family to workplace to nation. Our “technology”, based on 40 years of theory, research and practice can rapidly provide, through direct experience, dazzling insights into the complex mysteries of the human psyche. Through those insights one develops an increased capacity to effectively navigate the challenges of thriving in the modern world. At the core of group relations work is an event know as the Group Relations Conference. This is an intensive participatory process that provides participants the opportunity to study their own behavior as it happens in real time without the distractions of everyday social niceties and workplace pressures and protocols. The methodology is particularly helpful in revealing the dynamics of power, authority, leadership, follower ship and the impact of our multiple identities such as gender, nationality, and race. In this bounded environment, many often hidden aspects of our ways of being and working are brought to light and more consciously considered in terms of what supports our effectiveness and what detracts from it. Participants in our experiential conferences often report "ah ha" moments that can last for days, months or years.

In addition to our experiential learning events, the A.K. Rice Institute directly and indirectly supports:

• Research and education in the field as well as cross disciplinary work which reflects evolution in our theory and practice -Support for and collaboration with universities programs in Group Relations as well as promoting programs in new educational institutions
• Custom designed consultation and application work within a variety of public and private organizations, including business, industry, government, community organizations, faith based groups and schools
• Encouraging and supporting entrepreneurial applications of Group Relations within new sectors
• Symposia and networking gatherings for practitioners, students and the general public
• Coordination with the regional, national and international network of formal and informal groups that study and practice group relations
• Dissemination of information for the general public via the media, speakers and new technology
• Professional training and recommended standards for competency in the practice as well as sharing best practices, design and administrative templates for group relations conferences and other training events

We offer memberships in the Institute which both supports our mission and provides a beginning professional identity in this highly skilled field. Members have access to training, networking and consulting opportunities based on their proven skills and willingness to contribute to the field. We are also in partnership with regional affiliates and educational institutions that sponsor Group Relations Conferences, educational and networking events.

The A.K. Rice Institute is not a gatekeeping organization. We are committed to helping to sustain a vital professional and sustainable international Group Relations community that can grow, adapt and apply this important methodology in service to many areas of human endeavor. The institute is a not for profit organization and depends on membership dues, contributions and significant volunteer labor for its operations.

*(based primarily on work by British psychoanalyst Wilfred R. Bion at London's Tavistock Institute of Human Relations in the 1940's and subsequent developments in the late 20th century by numerous others)

2010 AKRI SYMPOSIUM AUDIO & VIDEO

To hear 12 informative & inspiring presentations about group relations click  HERE

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