Richard Ennals: An Itinerant Scholar Who Found His Home in Action Research
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Abstract
This article traces the intellectual journey of Richard Ennals, situating his wideranging work within a coherent, action-oriented framework. Although describing himself as an academic “tourist,” Ennals’ contributions reveal a consistent commitment to dialogue, social engagement, and learning across differences. Drawing on influences from Ludwig Wittgenstein, Stephen Toulmin, and Scandinavian workplace research, he developed an approach that integrates language, practice, and organisational development. His early work on socially useful artificial intelligence evolved into a focus on both tacit knowledge and language games. Through extensive collaboration in Sweden and Norway, he helped advance dialogue conferences, development coalitions, and participatory organisational change. Ennals’ later writings highlight the role of silence, denial, and performance in understanding work-life practices. The article argues that his legacy offers a powerful conceptual and methodological toolbox for contemporary action research, grounded in humanistic values, practical engagement, and a commitment to democratic dialogue.
Keywords: Social engagement, artificial intelligence (AI), learning from differences, language games, democratic dialogue
Richard Ennals: Un erudito itinerante que encontró su hogar en la investigación-acción
Este artículo traza la trayectoria intelectual de Richard Ennals, situando su extensa obra dentro de un marco coherente y orientado a la acción. Aunque se describe a sí mismo como un académico „turista“, las contribuciones de Ennals revelan un compromiso constante con el diálogo, la participación social y el aprendizaje basado en la diversidad. Inspirándose en Ludwig Wittgenstein, Stephen Toulmin y la investigación escandinava sobre el entorno laboral, desarrolló un enfoque que integra el lenguaje, la práctica y el desarrollo organizacional. Su trabajo inicial sobre inteligencia artificial socialmente útil evolucionó hacia un enfoque en el conocimiento tácito y los juegos de lenguaje. Mediante una amplia colaboración en Suecia y Noruega, contribuyó al avance de conferencias de diálogo, coaliciones para el desarrollo y el cambio organizacional participativo. Los escritos posteriores de Ennals destacan el papel del silencio, la negación y el desempeño en la comprensión de las prácticas de conciliación entre la vida laboral y personal. El artículo sostiene que su legado ofrece un valioso conjunto de herramientas conceptuales y metodológicas para la investigación-acción contemporánea, fundamentada en valores humanísticos, la participación práctica y el compromiso con el diálogo democrático.
Palabras clave: Participación social, inteligencia artificial (IA), aprendizaje basado en la diversidad, juegos de lenguaje, diálogo democrático
Bibliography: Johnsen, Hans Christian Garmann: Richard Ennals: An Itinerant Scholar Who Found His Home in Action Research, IJAR – International Journal of Action Research, 1-2026, pp. 24-39.
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