Action research is a multi-skilled job. It is also one in which action research facilitators may be very exposed. This chapter looks at the complexities of action research from the perspective of action research facilitators and those managing action research projects. It explores the following key issues:

• • the relationship of systemic action research facilitators to the research

• • key roles for systemic action research facilitators

• • recording inquiry group sessions

• • support for action research facilitators.

Although many of the issues that I discuss I would see as relevant to all action research facilitators, my comments are focused on the facilitation of systemic action research.

Relationship of systemic action research facilitators to the Research

Before exploring the role of action research facilitators we need to understand more about the place that they occupy within the learning system. This includes their outlook and approach as well as their relationship to the research process.

One distinction that is often made is whether the researchers are ‘outsiders’ or ‘insiders’ (Cochlan and Brannick, 2001). Are they part of the ‘organisation’ that they are researching, or are they coming in from outside to support or engage with those who are inside? This distinction can be problematic in a systemic action research context. Because the terrain extends beyond a single group or organisation, most participants will be stakeholders in the process. Stakeholders are both inside and outside because they are inside their bit of the system and outside other bits of the system. An external action research facilitator is likely to be a stakeholder only in the loosest sense – in that he or she has an ‘interest’ in the process working; is personality sympathetic; and may share the overarching values that successful action or intervention promotes. But they are outsiders in the sense that they do not have embedded cultural knowing of any part of the system from living or working within it (although this can change with extended engagement) and they are outsiders in the sense that the actions resulting from the process do not have the same impact on them.

What all of these people have in common is that they are part of an evolving system.