A. K. Rice Institute

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

For almost 50 years, the A. K. Rice Institute for the Study of Social Systems (AKRI) has helped individuals and organizations understand the complexity, beauty, power and importance of groups in our lives. Broadly, our mission is to support and advance the study of group relations through educational initiatives and among our individual and organizational members and their activities.

Using a model originated in part at the Tavistock Institute in London by A. Kenneth Rice, AKRI and the practitioners of its work facilitate learning by doing, being, thinking and feeling within a "group relations conference" event. This experiential approach helps us identify the often hidden, unexamined or unconscious aspects of how we live and work in groups and organizations. Anticipating and exploring these dynamics can have a significant, positive impact on the functions of working teams and organizations and your ability to participate or lead effectively.

In addition to holding our own Leadership Institute, supporting other group relations conferences and organizing the AKRI Symposium, we also help to train practitioners and skilled consultants in this field through our training & certification program and offer or sponsor consultant training events.

Change in Associate Membership Criteria

Anyone who has participated in an experiential group relations conference or equivalent educational event offered by AKRI, its Affiliates, or such other organizations identified with group relations work that the Board may recognize is now eligible for membership as an Associate of AKRI. A recent amendment to the AKRI Bylaws changed the previous requirement of attendance at a residential conference. For more details about the membership criteria and the votes on the amendment, please go to Latest AKRI News on the Resources page.

AKRI leadership update

Visit our Associates and Affiliates section for all updates to AKRI associates or to visit links for any of the AKRI affiliate organizations.

Executive Director Sandra Burnett will be leaving her position effective July 4, 2008. Appointed in 2006, Sandra was AKRI’s first Executive Director and did much to help AKRI move to a new stage of development. Dr. Betsy Hasegawa will serve as Interim Executive Director starting July 5, 2008. Read more in a letter from AKRI President Leigh Estabrook to all AKRI associates, in our new From the President page.

Visit our Associates and Affiliates section for all updates to AKRI associates or to visit links for any of the AKRI affiliate organizations.

Multimedia presentations from the 2008 AKRI Symposium available

Visit our Multimedia page in the Publications section for audio and video versions of presentations from this exciting event held in Chicago in May. Additional materials will be posted in Papers & Presentations. Originally called the AKRI Scientific Meeting, the Symposium continues a tradition of academic and intellectual inquiry focusing on the theory and practice of group relations.

Website feedback

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