Papers by Elyssebeth Leigh
This paper presents the current results of on-going work-based research on information management... more This paper presents the current results of on-going work-based research on information management processes in large and small Australian organisations. Our examination of structures shaping traditional processes, has led to an emerging understanding that many of these processes are - in fact - based on 'conventions without logic' which paradoxically inhibit the effectiveness of tasks they are intended to support.
PLOS ONE, 2021
Social anxiety is associated with reduced educational achievement. Given that concentration is a ... more Social anxiety is associated with reduced educational achievement. Given that concentration is a predictor of educational achievement, and social anxiety symptoms are associated with reduced concentration in class, this prospective study examined the possibility that social anxiety may impair educational achievement through reduced classroom concentration. A sample of 509 participants (53.8% female;Mage: 12.77 years [SD= 0.81]) recruited from secondary schools completed questionnaires assessing social anxiety symptoms, depressive symptoms, and concentration in class. Educational achievement was assessed by internal grades within schools. An indirect effect of social anxiety on later educational achievement via concentration was observed, over and above baseline achievement and depression symptoms; adolescents with higher levels of social anxiety tend to have more difficulties concentrating in class, which in turn is associated with poorer academic outcomes. Findings underscore the c...
Lecture Notes in Computer Science, 2018
The use of general descriptive names, registered names, trademarks, service marks, etc. in this p... more The use of general descriptive names, registered names, trademarks, service marks, etc. in this publication does not imply, even in the absence of a specific statement, that such names are exempt from the relevant protective laws and regulations and therefore free for general use. The publisher, the authors and the editors are safe to assume that the advice and information in this book are believed to be true and accurate at the date of publication. Neither the publisher nor the authors or the editors give a warranty, express or implied, with respect to the material contained herein or for any errors or omissions that may have been made. The publisher remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Constructing Safe Containers for Effective Learning: Vignettes of Breakdown in Psychological Safety During Simulated Scenarios
Intersections in Simulation and Gaming
This paper reports on work completed to date comparing a range of approaches to using simulation ... more This paper reports on work completed to date comparing a range of approaches to using simulation in industry settings. We document, share and compare across psychological and physical ‘safety’ dimensions in each of our domains, and describe how these are managed in different contexts. The concept of simulation as creating, and then existing, within a ‘safe container,’ a term is used as a metaphor for the context of simulation in action. In this paper we first reprise work undertaken during 2015 to develop baseline comparisons of key simulation factors across our disciplines/activities. Each approach is described separately, then we use the data to extract key points of similarity and difference. Next, we consider what ‘safety’ is in the context of a simulation in action and explore how users can learn with, and from, each other about selecting appropriate strategies to both support and challenge the notion of ‘safety’ in simulation-based learning contexts. The paper does not include a complete consideration of all uses of simulation, however our approach to collecting data, sharing and considering the implications of the emerging array of information is proving to be useful for developing a broader scope with which to consider the issues of safety and learning which are central to the uses of simulation that we are exploring.
CONTEXT Engineering is a set of practices and principles evidenced in the artefacts of human cult... more CONTEXT Engineering is a set of practices and principles evidenced in the artefacts of human cultures. In the 21st century there is growing understanding of the implications of this for supporting innovation and sustainable practices. This paper specifically considers how Aboriginal cultures employed engineering principles prior to European arrival. Taking into account this combination of engineering principles, this paper introduces the next steps towards a framework for integrating Indigenous knowledge into the engineering curriculum. The aim is to provide a guide for engineering educators towards establishing and/or strengthening their engagement with local community knowledge holders to explore the principles and practices as well as teaching strategies of Indigenous technical knowledge.
'Simulations' range in size from multi-million dollar full-immersion installations to short role-... more 'Simulations' range in size from multi-million dollar full-immersion installations to short role-play activities requiring little technology, and the designated 'facilitator' has a huge range of options from which to choose leaning goals and manage chosen activities. Close attention is usually paid to selection criteria, technical specifications and equipment costs, especially when large sums of money are at stake. However there is less consideration given to identifying 'essential' and 'desirable' characteristics of those managing the learning in action. What knowledge do they require? What skills-interpersonal, intrapersonal and technical-do they need? How do they acquire them? What are appropriate measures of individual capabilities and understanding? Who decides what is "good facilitation" of a simulation? In this tenth year of SimTect it is highly relevant to raise such questions. While the promise of the technology of simulations has progressed enormously and knowledge about its possibilities is increasing, the task of preparing and developing those who design, manage and assess the learning-which all this effort and expense is intended to deliver-is still under resourced. This paper raises questions rather than offering answers. As we explored the facilitator's role in managing simulations, we became aware of the paucity of good information and research about the role of the facilitation in simulation-based contexts, and therefore chose to focus on formulating 'good questions' with the intent of raising awareness and generating discussion. While we suggest what might be involved in further developing skilIs for effective use of simulations, we are convinced that no single set of answers will address all the issues identified.
Intersections in Simulation and Gaming, 2018
This paper explores working relationships and leadership challenges facing those who work in team... more This paper explores working relationships and leadership challenges facing those who work in teams to create simulation-based learning environments. Drawing on the authors' experiences, and relevant case studies, it explores tensions, triumphs and the ongoing learning involved in collaborative ventures producing effective online learning activities. The view is 'from the engine room' at the point where technology and design expertise reframe creative 'story boards' into 'interactive learning experiences'. Gaps between existing and emergent expertise can cause friction, especially when requirements associated with new skills are not understood or appreciated. We explore the potential for aware and conscious leadership of collaborative simulation design spaces engaging in a range of paradigmatic thinking and requiring productive harnessing of diversity. Creating scenario based learning environments requires an understanding of both the content, and the array of learning pathways now available for assuring acquisition of new knowledge and insights. An appreciation of pitfalls likely to hinder this design process is particularly vital. The process usually begins with a learning concept derived from some identified need or goal, and progresses to development of a scenario for engaging and challenging learners using face-to-face or online formats. Scenarios are developed using specific, and specialised artefacts and technologies to create interactive learning environments, and the introduction of computer-based technologies makes the process even more complex, with highly specialised skills contributing particular elements. More and more people are involved at each step, and an increasing number of specialisations now contribute to the final product. We use existing Human Computer Interaction practices to explore the designer-developer interface and consider how to develop aware and conscious leadership from within this emergent complexity. Words penned by George Harrison (1967) aptly encapsulate our theme-"We were talking about the space between us all" .
Constructing Safe Containers for Effective Learning: Vignettes of Breakdown in Psychological Safety During Simulated Scenarios
Intersections in Simulation and Gaming
This paper reports on work completed to date comparing a range of approaches to using simulation ... more This paper reports on work completed to date comparing a range of approaches to using simulation in industry settings. We document, share and compare across psychological and physical ‘safety’ dimensions in each of our domains, and describe how these are managed in different contexts. The concept of simulation as creating, and then existing, within a ‘safe container,’ a term is used as a metaphor for the context of simulation in action. In this paper we first reprise work undertaken during 2015 to develop baseline comparisons of key simulation factors across our disciplines/activities. Each approach is described separately, then we use the data to extract key points of similarity and difference. Next, we consider what ‘safety’ is in the context of a simulation in action and explore how users can learn with, and from, each other about selecting appropriate strategies to both support and challenge the notion of ‘safety’ in simulation-based learning contexts. The paper does not include a complete consideration of all uses of simulation, however our approach to collecting data, sharing and considering the implications of the emerging array of information is proving to be useful for developing a broader scope with which to consider the issues of safety and learning which are central to the uses of simulation that we are exploring.
This paper takes de Bono’s explanation of ‘design thinking’ as the starting point for a report on... more This paper takes de Bono’s explanation of ‘design thinking’ as the starting point for a report on a doctoral research project that began with a conventional ‘why?’ question, and then, instead of looking for an ‘explanation’, chose to look forward in time to establish an understanding of ‘how to’ think differently about a recurring problem. The catalyst for this work was observation of otherwise competent managers making desperately wrong decisions when good decision making was crucial to their company’s future. The initial choice to ‘look forward’ when designing the research strategy was made well before there was a clear understanding of what was being observed. Given that trajectory, this paper explores the process by which a simulation was created and then used in conjunction with a comparatively new approach to data collection (Explanation looks backwards and design looks forward [1].).
Using simulation to study decision-making in project portfolio management
This project reports how an emerging awareness of the complexity of project portfolio management ... more This project reports how an emerging awareness of the complexity of project portfolio management (PPM) led t development of a role-play simulation for assessing different means of identifying and reflecting on factors influencing the quality of decision making in stressful PPm situations. Recognition of the inability to access reliable data from within organisations resulted in the development of an open and chaordic (Waldrop, 1996) simulation that replicates aspects of the decision-making processes commonly encountered in such complicated and complex conditions. The paper describes the Action LEarning process used to develop this simulation. The contribution of this project to the field of project portfolio management therefore spans both the development of a specific simulation strategy as a research methodology and analysis of issues relating to factors adversely affecting decision-making capacity in times of stress
Translational Systems Sciences, 2019
In Persian “Hooshmand” means intelligence. The simulation Hoosmand-1 creates a clash between inte... more In Persian “Hooshmand” means intelligence. The simulation Hoosmand-1 creates a clash between intellectual objectivity and emotional reactions to unexpected events. The simulated environment challenges skilled and experienced senior project managers to navigate their way through a set of complex decisions. Initial conditions are complicated but comprehensible, requiring application of knowledge and diligence. Then factors altering the context are introduced to create complex conditions in which standard responses no longer apply. We review outcomes of the project for which Hooshmand-1 was designed. In regard to project portfolio management, cost-benefit ratios and business strategies received more attention than resource availability. In regard to quality decision-making, the effectiveness of team cognition shows up as a key factor shaping performance under stress. “Black Swan” events, Groupthink traps, and Abilene Paradox thinking can all inhibit quality decisions, and Hooshmand-1 p...
This paper discusses how an emerging awareness of the complexity of project portfolio management ... more This paper discusses how an emerging awareness of the complexity of project portfolio management (PPM) led to development of a role-play based simulation to test different means of identifying and reflecting on factors influencing the quality of decision making in stressful situations. Recognition of the inability to access reliable data in organisations resulted in development of the simulation called Hooshmand-1; an open and chaordic simulation that replicates aspects of the decision-making processes commonly encountered in complicated and complex conditions. The simulation employs data from a real case study to establish two scenarios of increasing complexity. It draws on the Cynefin domains framework and the concepts of Originating Ba and Interacting Ba spaces to create a research / learning space for creation and analysis of decision making strategies. Initial findings from the research indicate that Hooshmand-1 abstracts the reality of decision making for PPM at an organisatio...
CONTEXT Engineering involves professionals and clients from diverse cultural and economic backgro... more CONTEXT Engineering involves professionals and clients from diverse cultural and economic backgrounds and experiences. Professional engineering educators aim to make teaching materials engaging to help students make sense of knowledge from academic research, general theory and their own practice. Some of these aspects are hard to convey especially those from areas currently outside student experiences, including making decision in problem solving, and working in cross-cultural contexts. We use narratives to introduce students to new and challenging concepts, and in this paper discuss how and why such strategies engage students regardless of whether they have prior experience or knowledge. We demonstrate how we do so through an exploration of two frameworks: the Cynefin domains of knowledge; and teaching cross-cultural contexts through Indigenous storytelling. Narrative is already a key knowledge sharing strategy for Aboriginal people (Kennedy, 2016), and narratives enable explicit l...
International Research Network on Organizing by Projects (IRNOP) 2017, 2017
The majority of project portfolio management tools are not flexible and responsive to complex and... more The majority of project portfolio management tools are not flexible and responsive to complex and dynamic environments. This can result in business losses when management does not effectively adjust project portfolios to meet organizational and contextual needs. This paper concentrates on the impact of individual decision-making, perceptions of decision processes and the influence of uncertainty on effective decision-making in project portfolio management.
Creating the Future by Creating Ourselves. CD ROM
On-line Games, Simulations & Role-plays as Learning Environments: Boundary and Role Characteristics
Using Systems Thinking to Explore Wicked Problems
A catalyst paper was submitted to the National ALARA conference in Canberra titled 'Systems T... more A catalyst paper was submitted to the National ALARA conference in Canberra titled 'Systems Thinking for Wicked Problems' to conduct a workshop to explore the use of soft systems methodology (SSM) to address a wicked problem. The authors would like to thank those who participated in the workshop as it turned out to be a rich action research-like exploration. This paper will first explain what is meant by wicked problems. Second, it will compare Horst Rittel's reasons for identifying 'wicked problems' as opposed to 'tame problems' and Peter Checkland's development of 'soft systems thinking' as opposed to 'hard systems thinking'. It will then describe the process used at the workshop and the outcome of the exploration. The paper will end with some reflections on the use of SSM to deal with wicked problems.
Rapid growth and change characterizes many aspects of modern business. However it is still true t... more Rapid growth and change characterizes many aspects of modern business. However it is still true that many important institutions and organizations cannot be acquired sold or go bankrupt. For these entities automatic responses to the workings of their marketplace are not a preferred method for allocating resources, nor the primary basis for decision-making. Economic infrastructures composed entirely of young companies would have flaws or gaps in knowledge and understanding that would make them grossly inefficient and ineffective. Long-lasting companies are an essential component of any robust economy. They provide models and behavioural indicators which younger entities can choose to adopt-or at least consider-in developing their own strategies for survival and growth. This paper proposes that organisational longevity can be shown to be built on continuing observance of core practices begun early in the life of the entity and adhered to through time. Such practices enable development of entities whose existence can be considered as a legacy of our collective, purposeful human selves. Such adherence to the notion of longevity involves organizations in achieving a means of being both resilient and adaptive to continuously changing circumstances. In searching for such practices a small number of key factors have been identified consistently across a number of organizations, all of which were already more than 200 years old at the commencement of the research. These factors are emergent and-to some extent intangible-features of the organizations examined. That is, while they are evident in hindsight and deeply embedded in the nature of each entity, they were not necessarily visible or given priority at the time the entities were first established.
s were reviewed and papers selected for publication in either the refereed section or non-referee... more s were reviewed and papers selected for publication in either the refereed section or non-refereed section of the proceedings. Over 180 papers were received and all refereed papers were double-blind reviewed. The organising committee takes this opportunity b thank all reviewersfor their timely support. On behalf of the organising committee, we thank you for your participation in the Sixth International Research Conference on Quality, Innovation and Knowledge Management held in Malaysia in February2002. Professor Amrik Sohal Dr Richard Cooney Conference Convenors
Using Students' Devices and a No-to-Low Cost Online Tool to Support Interactive Experiential mLearning
2009 Ninth IEEE …, 2009
... Interviews with professors at eight universities in Australia, New Zealand and the USA showed... more ... Interviews with professors at eight universities in Australia, New Zealand and the USA showed that none had adopted mLearning, despite widespread use of eLearning [9]. Most surveys of students show that few use their mobile phones for learning only 1 in 6 according to ...
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Papers by Elyssebeth Leigh