Adapting the Learning History approach for use in inter-organisational contexts: Learnings from a problem gambling project

Abstract

Learning History is a collaborative, group-learning process that takes advantage of the diverse perspectives of participants within their organisations. However, the evidence presented in this paper suggests that the process of developing and helping participants engage with the Learning History approach can be adapted when working with multiple organisations that hold diverse views and have different (even opposing) interests. A Learning History project examining problem gambling is analysed and changes to the approach, aimed at increasing the chances of community-level project success, are identified. It is suggested that developing a number of Learning Histories that describe the experiences of the various stakeholder organisations, before attempting to develop a unifying story, will increase the chances of success. This adaption is likely to increase the capacity of adversarial stakeholders to engage with one another. It may also increase the likelihood that stakeholders can identify actions that will result in significant change.