New deadline! Call for abstracts: Time

2022-04-01

Theme: Time

New deadline for abstracts: September 6, 2022

One theme that is rarely addressed or explicitly studied in relation to research processes is time. This may come as a surprise, especially in the case of change-oriented research programmes, in which processes as such are a key element. One can hardly think of processes without considering the time perspective.

This call therefore addresses the question of how time may be understood as a dimension in research, and in processes aiming at change. Time is linked to change – change takes time, it happens over time, becomes visible in the course of time. Time therefore becomes a factor, perhaps indeed a method or research tool, when processes of change are to be initiated, supported and studied.

Time can be experienced both subjectively and collectively, phenomenologically as experienced through the body and the senses. In this sense, time can have a flow dimension, a playful dimension; it can be owned by the participants and can be used to create participation. In organizational contexts, time can be framed, divided up and assigned and measured objectively in seconds, minutes and hours. In a contemporary diagnosis of today's societal demands to achieve more in less time, Hartmut Rosa describes what it means to be accessible and visible24/7; something that has been made possible by technology and digitalisation. In this context, time can a driving force, creating and accelerating stress, anxiety and demands on performance. Following on from this, an interesting question arises as to how change-oriented research approaches relate to the time phenomenon in a digital society, in which such phenomena arise as synchronous and asynchronous time (in themselves paradoxical expressions), and in which research processes are given the opportunity to develop in learning and change environments that allow for shifts in time and place.

In this way, time becomes both an invisible companion and an intrusive framework for social life, organisation and relationship building - and therefore it is interesting to investigate in more detail what significance this has for research initiatives focused on change. This call does not address the question of whether time is a 'scarce commodity', but rather tries to provide knowledge about how, when studying change and processes, time is to be understood, used and made visible in specific contexts, cultures, organisations and in the research design as such.

This is why we at Research and Change are calling for abstracts on the theme of time. If you are interested, you might like to consider one or more of the following angles and questions:

  • How is time to be understood within research?
  • How is time to be understood in organizational contexts?
  • How can one, in research and as a researcher, understand the connection between time and action on the one hand, and reflection and learning processes on the other?
  • Can we speak of 'social acceleration' in society, and if so, how does change-oriented research relate to this?
  • How does time itself as a phenomenon relate to perceived time on the one hand and organizational time on the other, and what role does research play in this relationship?
  • What methodological questions are raised by the phenomenon of time? How do you study processes using time as a tool or method?
  • In what way is the researcher part of time, when time characterises the change-related aspect of a research process? How can this cooperation with time be tackled in terms of research?

Considering the journal’s general focus, it is also essential to address the following question: How does this research aim to create changes in practice?

Practical information

Editors of this issue: Julie Borup Jensen, Professor, University of Aalborg, Denmark

Anette Olin, Associate Professor, University of Gothenburg, Sweden

Janne Dam Madsen, Professor, University College of South-East Norway, Norway

NEw deadline for abstracts: September 6, 2022

Language: Abstracts can be submitted in Danish, Norwegian, Swedish or English.

Length: No more than 500 words. The author should describe the projected structure and content of the article and cover the following points (in the order relevant to the article):

  • Aims
  • Conceptual/theoretical framework
  • Research design/methodology
  • Results
  • Limits/boundaries
  • Research and/or practical implications
  • Contribution to the development of knowledge

Abstracts must be uploaded to the journal's digital platform here. You must register as a user to upload. Please note that usernames must not contain capital letters or spaces.

If you have any questions, please contact: Editorial Assistant, Signe Kierkegaard Cain: sica@kp.dk