19016: Exploring the Foundations of Human-Centered Change: Bridging Research and Practice

This timely and engaging PDW is part of a long-term (3-5 years) research program to explore and better understand the underpinning of professional fields dedicated to human-centered change. Human-centered change refers to intentional practices that promote healthy, vibrant, and flourishing human systems within organizations and communities. In 2024, we launched a qualitative study examining thought leaders' perspectives on the research topic. We collected data from a series of public interviews in the ODC Scholarly Foundations Webinars that explored different perspectives on the research and practices related to human-centered change. Our effort recently partnered with Bowling Green State University’s CHANGE Think Tank to collect more robust information, where over 40 thought leaders shared their views on human-centered change. This PDW will help deepen and strengthen the emerging insights by building on the in-depth analysis. The identified themes will be jointly presented and explored. In doing so, this PDW will serve as a forum to share initial findings, generate new perspectives on future directions, and foster engagement with the initiative. The PDW includes five phases: (1) an introduction to the initiative, (2) a review of the emerging themes from the qualitative study, (3) an engaged dialogue with thought leaders around these themes, (4) an exploration of future possibilities, and (5) collaborative design of actionable next steps. This lively workshop aspires to attract the engagement of people who relate to human-centered change from different perspectives and in various forms, such as scholars, practitioners, lecturers, students, consultants, and executives.