Groups of Groups
A new collaborative design methodology is emerging. Prosocial can transform a collection of self-interested individuals into a harmonious and effective group.
And it helps groups work with other groups, exponentially scaling positive change. This episode is a deep inquiry into the nuances of human behavior and cooperation. We’ll explore the foundational science and core design principles with the founder of Prosocial World, Dr. Paul Atkins. Our journey also takes us to Sierra Leone to speak with Hannah Bockarie and Beate Ebert about their experience with Prosocial during the Ebola outbreak of 2014.
Listen to this episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or on your favorite platform.
“When collaboration works, it can be one of the most satisfying experiences of our lives.”
About our guests
Paul Atkins is an author, facilitator and researcher working to publicise the idea of the commons and provide practical approaches to facilitation to help build the commons. He is a leading figure in the Prosocial movement, and lead author of the book Prosocial: Using Evolutionary Science to Build Productive, Equitable, and Collaborative Groups. His work integrates the sciences of behavior change with the Nobel prize winning work of Elinor Ostrom on the commons.
Paul's research career has been focused on enhancing relationships and wellbeing at work and in groups of all sorts. He co-edited the book “Mindfulness in Organisations” (CUP). He is past President of the Australia and New Zealand Association for Contextual Behavioural Science and was recently made a Fellow of the international Association for Contextual Behavioral Science. He lives in Canberra, Australia and is currently serving as lead trainer and on the board of Prosocial.World.
Website | Medium | Facebook | Linked In
Hannah Bockarie is the Founder and Country Director of the Commit and Act Foundation Sierra Leone. She is an experienced therapist with a long history of working in the mental health care industry. Skilled in psychological assessment, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), clinical research, and mindfulness-based psychotherapy.
Beate Ebert is the Founder and Chairwoman Commit and Act Germany. Beate is a psychological psychotherapist and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) practitioner. Her vision is the peaceful coexistence of all cultures. And so every year she travels with a team from all over the world to Sierra Leone, West Africa, to lead ACT workshops for local colleagues there.
Links & resources from this episode:
Prosocial World
Prosocial World developed the first change method based on evolutionary science that enhances cooperation & collaboration for groups of all types & sizes and is effective at a global scale. Prosocial World is a non-profit organization that seeks to evolve a more prosocial world. Inspired by scientists, we take the word “evolve” seriously, basing our methods on the most recent developments in evolutionary, complex systems, and contextual behavioral science to enhance cooperation and inspire positive change for the well-being of others. Prosocial World is built upon its own Core Design Principles, fostering polycentric governance.
The community of practice within Prosocial World has built the Prosocial ARC Process, a method for helping any group, anywhere in the world, work better together. The Prosocial ARC Process is a unique, practical, applied, behavioral approach that contributes to a significant worldwide research effort using evolutionary theory as a unifying theoretical framework.
Learn more at www.prosocial.world
The Book: Prosocial. Using Evolutionary Science to Build Productive, Equitable, and Collaborative Groups by Paul W.B. Atkins PhD (Author), David Sloan Wilson PhD (Author), Steven C. Hayes PhD (Author), Richard M Ryan Phd (Foreword)
A groundbreaking, comprehensive program for designing effective and socially equitable groups of all sizes—from businesses and social justice groups to global organizations. Whether you work in business or schools, volunteer in neighborhoods or church organizations, or are involved in social justice and activism, you understand the enormous power of groups to enact powerful and lasting change in the world. But how exactly do you design, build, and sustain effective groups?
Based on the work of Nobel Prize winning economist Elinor Ostrom and grounded in contextual behavioral science, evolutionary science, and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), Prosocial presents a practical, step-by-step approach to help you energize and strengthen your business or organization. Using the Prosocial model, you’ll learn to design groups that are more harmonious, have better member or employee retention, have better relationships with other groups or business partners, and have more success and longevity.
Most importantly, you’ll learn to target the characteristics that foster cooperation and collaboration—key ingredients for any effective group.
Commit And Act Sierra Leone
Commit and Act is an organization dedicated to empowering vulnerable populations in Sierra Leone. We work with local healthcare workers and other professionals to aid survivors of violence and help prevent violence. We treat survivors of domestic and gender-based assault, people struggling with trauma following Sierra Leone’s 11-year civil war, and community members facing mental health difficulties. Within our safe, accepting shelters and workshops, we offer space both to heal from pain and to build fulfilling lives and families.
