On November 13th, I posted information about early nursing theory think tanks organized by Margaret Newman! A few days ago, I happened to be looking for something entirely unrelated in the early issues of Advances in Nursing Science and discovered a little notice announcing the second nursing theory think tank! I have added the link to the announcement as an addendum to the November post, but also believe it is important to add here the information in this notice for its historic significance.
The ANS notice confirms that the purpose of the first nursing theory think tank in October 1978 was to “bring together persons involved in theory development in nursing to explore areas of needed theory development and to devise a means whereby continuing dialogue between theorists can occur” (page 105).
The October 1978 think tank participants were:
Margaret Newman, facilitator (The Pennsylvania State University)
June Brody (Herbert Lehman College),
Carol Deets (Indian University),
Ellen Egan (University of Minnesota),
Rosemary Ellis (Case Western Reserve University),
Jacqueline Fawcett (University of Pennsylvania),
Joyce Fitzpatrick (Wayne State University),
Beverly Hall (University of Washington),
Margaret Hardy (Boston University),
Joan Rinehart (The Pennsylvania State University),
Elizabeth See (Wayne State University)
Marilyn Sime (University of Minnesota),
Ardis Swanson (New York University),
Gertrude Torres (Wright State University), and
Lorraine Walker (The University of Texas).
Thank you Peggy. As I dig deeper into Newman’s method of Health as Expanding Consciousness (HEC) and wind in threads from my own journey in critical studies, I am realizing the ways in which HEC is rooted in participatory action and critical theory assumptions such as co-creating and co-interpreting knowledge. HEC offers justice based, dialectic and context specific (time-space) methodology founded in relationship energy between nurse and participant. Also, HEC acknowledges and accepts alternative forms of knowing like art, movement, and drama as valid forms of epistemy. As a theory, a method and a praxis, HEC offers so much for critically and socially” just” knowledge development in nursing. I am very excited to further develop Margaret Newsman’s theory and method in my PhD research.
How interesting – and exciting, Jane! Please keep us posted as your work evolves! Peggy