R&D Unplugged #11 – discover our research

In the face of intersecting global crises—climate instability, social fragmentation, and a deepening sense of existential uncertainty—the capacity for collective intelligence has become increasingly critical. However, collective intelligence does not arise spontaneously; it requires intentional facilitation, structured spaces, and an understanding of the relational dynamics that support productive collaboration. Psychological safety, second-person inquiry, deep listening, and emotional regulation are foundational to enabling the forms of sensemaking and coordination necessary for systemic change.

Recognizing the need for new approaches, a range of transdisciplinary communities and wisdom-inspired initiatives are designing frameworks that emphasize relational embodiment and dialogical enquiries to foster collective flourishing. These efforts reflect a growing recognition that transformation is not solely a matter of knowledge generation but also of cultivating relational capacities that sustain long-term change. Such initiatives emphasize the importance of process-oriented over purely outcome-driven approaches, focusing on how collaborative dynamics unfold over time.

In this talk, I review these initiatives and present our work on multi-level group practices, participatory methodologies, and AI to foster collective intelligence and relational well-being. I also introduce ongoing research using network approaches and natural language processing to track the dynamic unfolding of relational quality and group development. This shift toward process-aware monitoring offers new insights for learning transitions and collective flourishing while highlighting the relevance of wisdom traditions in contemporary systems thinking.