“Complexity demands resilience, and that’s what panarchy offers. Resilience in the face of complexity is a challenge even when you apply rigorous intelligence and integrity to develop a coherent and flexible strategy.” -Robert David Steele via The Open-Source Everything Manifesto: Transparency, Truth and Trust
In a rapidly changing world, the traditional structures of education are facing unprecedented challenges. The need for adaptability and resilience has never been more pronounced. Today’s educational leaders face the challenge of steering organizations and institutions through unprecedented levels of uncertainty in the midst of accelerated change. In today’s complex and ever-changing world, leaders across various fields face the challenge of adapting to dynamic environments and navigating uncertainty. To thrive in this dynamic landscape, leaders must embrace the concept of Panarchy, a framework rooted in ecological science but increasingly relevant in various fields, including education. In the same way, educational leaders are also faced with a rapidly changing landscape, influenced by technological disruptions and advancements, shifting societal struggles and values that are moving into and influencing the educational arena, as well as ongoing and evolving pedagogical approaches and shifts.
To thrive in this dynamic environment, educational leaders must embrace a new paradigm that promotes resilience and adaptability. To thrive in such conditions, exploring what is called the Panarchy framework can help educational leaders with the process of navigating and adapting to the complexities of their roles. Panarchy, a concept borrowed from ecological systems and science, underscores the interconnected, adaptive nature and interconnected contexts of educational environments. The concept of panarchy offers a fresh perspective on how we can reshape our educational systems. Applying the principles of panarchy to education also holds the potential for educational leaders seeking to create resilient, flexible, and learner-centric ecosystems. As educational leaders navigate the complex and ever-changing landscape of modern education, understanding and embracing the principles of panarchy has become more critical than ever.
So, before we move forward, let’s first dig in a bit to find out what actually is the panarchy framework?
Panarchy, originating in ecology, is a conceptual framework applied to diverse disciplines, that recognize the cyclical nature of growth, stability, and transformation within systems. In the context of education, panarchy views learning environments as dynamic, interconnected systems undergoing phases of exploitation, conservation, release, and reorganization.
The authors of The Surprising Power of Liberating Structures add, “Panarchy enables people to visualize how systems are embedded in systems and helps them understand how these interdependencies influence the spread of change.” Allowing for “opportunity windows for innovations to spread among levels and across boundaries.” Which is incredibly important, as Charles Johnston puts forth, “Very real crises mark our time. And as much as we might like it otherwise, it appears that doing what we have always done, only harder, will not solve them.” Or as Leah Zaidi shares in Building Brave New Worlds: Science Fiction and Transition Design adds that “panarchy accounts for the dual, and seemingly contradictory, characteristics of all complex systems — ‘stability and change’ and it states that ecosystems go through four basic stages: exploitation (rapid expansion), conservation (slow accumulation, stability), release (rapid decline due to changing conditions), and reorganization (a new equilibrium).” This means understanding as a system, and especially as a leader, the concept of resilience in the organization. Especially as the system determines what needs to discarded moving forward, what needs to be preserved to add continuing value for the future, and what needs to be renewed as the system births forward new structures, processes, and learnings.
Leah Zaidi shares how panarchy addesses the concept of resilience in Building Brave New Worlds as, “Resilience determines how vulnerable a system is to unexpected disturbances and surprises that can exceed or break that control. Transitions to a new equilibrium are difficult because we resist change, and the incentive to maintain the status quo is high, particularly for those in positions of power and privilege.” She continues with, “When we design future states, we focus on what we need to create, but understanding what we need to destroy is equally valuable. The concept of creative destruction — the incessant product and process innovation mechanism by which new production units replace outdated ones.”
In much the same way we consider the idea of unlearning and new learning, this cycle of birth, maturity, creative destruction, and renewal allows for the discarding of structures, processes and systems relationships that have run their course, while creating the space for the emergence of new structures, processes, and relationships. Or as Zaidi adds, “This framework advocates that, as we backcast from a preferred future state, we determine what needs to be preserved, while forecasting what needs to be destroyed to make room for elements from that preferred future state.”
Now that we’ve given some context and understanding to panarchy, let’s consider why this framework and the understandings it puts forth can be leveraged and even might be crucial for educational leaders moving forward.
Let’s begin with a few ways that educational leaders can leverage the panarchy framework:
Recognize the Phases: As mentioned previously, recognition of and/or realization of and understanding the phases the organization or institution is in (exploitation, conservation, release, or reorganization) allows for better and more strategic decision-making. Here are some considerations for each of those phases:
- Exploitation: a phase that is characterized by stability and efficiency. This is where systems are highly organized and often operate at their peak.
- Conservation: as systems continue to evolve, there is a point that is reached where they become resistant to change, which in this phase, represents a period of inertia and preservation of existing practices, even if and when they become less effective.
- Release: this phase occurs when external shocks or internal pressures disrupt the system, which leads to a time of uncertainty and upheaval. COVID would be an example of this, as well as any other technological breakthrough, disruption or economic crisis.
- Reorganization: following the release phase, systems have the opportunity to reorganize and adapt to the new reality, which can open the door to innovation, reinvention, and the opportunity to grow and evolve.
Promote Exploration and Innovation: through the panarchy phases, there is opportunity to encourage experimentation with new teaching methods, curricula, strategies and initiatives, as well as technologies that allows for the space to move from conservation to release and reorganization.
Prepare for Shocks: in much the same way organizations in engage in foresight processes and scenario planning to be proactive to towards the future, developing contingency plans and mechanisms to manage unexpected disruptions, allows individuals and the organization to foster a sense of adaptability during release phases.
Facilitate Reorganization: understanding of the phases, supports and helps leaders in guiding organizations and institutions through the reorganization phase by promoting and engaging in learning and processes that support flexibility, adaptability, supporting not only the organization, but all within the opportunity to adapt to the new systems.
Continuous Learning and Adaptation: when leaders embrace the cyclical nature of systems by encouraging continuous learning, reflection, and adaptation, it allows the organization and those within to respond more positively and effectively to the ongoing and evolving nature of educational goals, initiatives, strategies, and methods, especially in a time accelerated change, a growth in external systems shocks, and the rise of technological disruptions.
Collaboration and Feedback: engaging educational partners and stakeholders in collaborative processes and decision-making allows for greater understanding and alignment of changes towards meeting the needs, considerations, and expectations of the educational community.
Now, let’s consider why panarchy might be a crucial understanding for educational leaders:
Adaptability: in an era of rapid and accelerated change, educational leaders must learn to be flexible and adaptable, especially to the growing internal and external shocks that reverberate more and more often across our organizational ecosystems. Panarchy helps leaders recognize when their institutions are stuck in conservation phases, prompting them to release old practices and adapt to new and evolving realities.
Resilience: as stated previously, panarchy emphasizes the importance of resilience in and across our systems. In applying this framework, educational leaders can build up organizations and institutions that can withstand those external shocks, allowing them to view a crisis as an opportunity for change, and/or even transformation. Which harkens back to Nassim Taleb’s work in Antifragile: Things that Gain from Disorder in that, “Some things benefit from shocks; they thrive and grow when exposed to volatility, randomness, disorder, and stressors and love adventure, risk, and uncertainty.” Which means, without that individual and organizational resilience, organizations and institutions can become “fragile” in the face of these internal and external shocks.
Innovation: the release and reorganization phases of panarchy are conducive to creative thinking and innovation. When educational leaders can harness these phases to encourage that creativity, experimentation, and the pursuit of new ideas, it can lead to positive changes and transformation in supporting improved outcomes for students and create value for stakeholders, educational partners, and the educational community.
Strategic Planning: panarchy enables leaders to develop strategic long-term plans, and by recognizing the cyclical nature of systems, leaders can anticipate changes, plan for reorganization, and stay ahead of the curve, which is incredibly important in these volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous times and context we find ourselves working and living in.
Sustainability: the balancing of these phases, especially exploitation and conversation will be vital for leaders, especially in prioritizing sustainability over short-term gains to create educational organizations and institutions that not only endure, but thrive over time, especially in today’s constantly shifting and evolving context.
Enhanced Decision Making: when leaders are able to recognize which phase their organization is in, they can then make more informed and strategic decisions, discerning when to maintain the status quo and when to drive change and transformation for the organization.
In essence, the Panarchy framework provides a holistic view of how systems evolve and transform over time, offering leaders a valuable tool to navigate complexity, promote resilience, and drive innovation and change within their organizations and institutions. Which also reminds us that the Panarchy framework can be particularly advantageous for leaders experiencing and working in VUCA (volatile, uncertain, complex, ambiguous) environments, which we all seem to be facing in today’s world.
Here’s a few examples or considerations of how the framework lines up with and helps leaders to navigate and thrive in these challenging VUCA conditions:
Resilience in Volatility: panarchy teaches leaders to recognize that systems are inherently dynamic and that periods of volatility are part of the natural cycle, as well as ongoing renewal and even obsolescence. This understanding helps leaders to anticipate and prepare for sudden changes, rather than being caught off guard. Leaders can use the panarchy framework to identify opportunities for transformation during volatile phases, turning disruptions into moments of adaptation and growth.
Adaptation in Uncertainty: VUCA environments are characterized by high levels of uncertainty. Panarchy emphasizes the need for systems to adapt to constantly changing circumstances. Leaders who understand this can actively seek new opportunities for reorganization when faced with ambiguity, thereby using this uncertainty as a springboard for innovation and strategic change.
Complexity Management: panarchy allows for and offers a structured way to make sense of complexity, helping leaders recognize when systems become overly complex during the conservation phase and need to be simplified or reorganized for greater efficiency. By understanding that cyclical nature within systems, leaders can strategically manage and plan for it, preventing systems from becoming too rigid, unwieldy, or “fragile.”
Avenues for Innovation in Ambiguity: ambiguity often hinders and can even paralyzes decision-making, especially when leaders are working in and focusing on certainties. Panarchy provides leaders with a roadmap for navigating through it, and thereby allowing for the release and reorganization phases as times to encourage creativity and experimentation, leading towards innovative solutions to ambiguous problems.
Long-Term Strategic Planning: it is incredibly challenging to think and act with a long-term focus when working in VUCA environments. However, the panarchy framework encourages leaders to work from a systemic view of their organizations and recognize the cyclicality of the and their systems. Engaging this long-term perspective helps leaders anticipate changes, plan for adaptation, and position their organizations towards sustained success even in the midst of uncertain conditions.
Sustainable Leadership: in VUCA environments, leaders must find the equilibrium and manage the tension between balancing exploitation and conservation, and maintaining stability and embracing change, allowing leaders to engage in approaches that account for and support short-term objectives, as well as long-term resilience across the organization.
Continuous Learning and Adaptation: in VUCA environments, learning and adaptation are ongoing processes and panarchy encourages leaders to embrace the idea that change is constant and that continuous learning is necessary for survival and success moving forward. With this understanding, leaders can instill a culture of adaptability and learning within their organizations, ensuring they remain flexible, “antifragile” and responsive to today’s evolving and shifting conditions, both internal and external of the organization.
In summary, understanding the panarchy framework equips today’s leaders with the tools and mindset needed to effectively navigate VUCA environments. Encouraging leaders to embrace change, foster resilience, and promote innovation, effectively enabling them to thrive in the face of volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity.
However, before wrapping up how the panarchy framework can be support for today’s educational leaders, it behooves them to also realize that it can a valuable tool for educators in preparing students for the future by fostering adaptability, resilience, and innovation.
Here’s how educators can use the panarchy framework to better equip students for an ever-changing world and non-obvious future:
Understanding Panarchy in Education and Global Citizenship: at its core, panarchy in education emphasizes the interconnectedness of learning environments and the dynamic nature of educational and even global systems. It recognizes that education is not a linear process but a complex, adaptive system that evolves over time. In a panarchic framework, multiple scales of learning, from individual classrooms to entire educational organizations and institutions, coexist and interact, creating a network that allows for constant adaptation, allowing students to learn about the impact of their actions on a larger scale, encouraging a sense of responsibility as global citizens. Engaging global issues, such as sustainability, social justice, and intercultural communication, can help students develop a broader understanding of their role in shaping the world.
Fostering Resilience in Learners: a key advantage of embracing panarchy in education is the promotion of resilience in learners, helping prepare them for the uncertainties of the future, which is often not a part of traditional educational models. The cultivation of resilience through engaging diverse perspectives, varied learning environments, and adaptive strategies supports students in realizing that change is a natural part of life, and in becoming more adept at navigating change and helping them become better equipped to face the challenges of an ever-evolving world through a growth mindset.
Customizing Learning Pathways: panarchy challenges the one-size-fits-all approach to education, advocating for more personalized and adaptive learning pathways. In recognizing the unique strengths, interests, and learning styles of individual students, educators can then tailor their approach to meet these diverse needs. This idea of customization not only enhances student engagement, but also fosters a love for learning as students see the relevance of education in and to their own lives. Encouraging students to seek out new information, explore interests, and adapt to changing circumstances prepares them to thrive in a knowledge-based, dynamic world.
Breaking Down Silos in Education: educational systems are often compartmentalized, with subjects taught in isolation and little collaboration between disciplines. Panarchy encourages the breaking down of these silos, promoting interdisciplinary learning and a holistic understanding of knowledge. This interconnected approach mirrors the real-world challenges that require a blend of skills and knowledge from various domains. Educators can encourage students to think creatively, experiment with new ideas, and explore different problem-solving approaches, such as project-based learning and open-ended assignments can help students to develop critical thinking and creativity, which are essential skills in a world that has come to place high value on innovation.
Nurturing Lifelong Learners: panarchy supports the idea of lifelong learning by instilling in students the ability to adapt and learn continuously. The traditional model of education tends to focus on a fixed period of formal schooling, but the panarchic approach recognizes that learning is a lifelong journey. By fostering a love for learning and providing the tools for self-directed exploration, educators can empower students to thrive in an ever-changing educational landscape, reminding them that learning is not static but constantly evolving like the world around us.
Preparedness for Future Challenges: by understanding the cyclical nature of change and disruption in systems, students can be better prepared for future challenges, such as when educators discuss real-world examples of how societies and organizations have adapted to emerging issues, such as climate change or pandemics. This broader perspective enables students to think critically about current and future global challenges and engage in solutions towards those challenges.
In a rapidly evolving educational landscape, embracing the panarchy framework can be a powerful tool for educational leaders, especially in navigating the complexities of the current context most find themselves working in and under. By recognizing, understanding, harnessing, and leveraging the dynamics of exploitation, conservation, release, and reorganization, leaders can foster resilience, adaptability and innovation in their organizations and institutions. This not only helps in responding to external shocks but also positions the educational system to thrive in this ever-changing world. The key is to remain open to new possibilities, encourage innovation, and promote a culture of continuous learning and adaptation, all while keeping the best interests of students and the community at heart.
In conclusion, panarchy provides a useful framework for understanding complex systems of people and nature. Its emphasis on hierarchical structuring, adaptability, and cross-scale linkages has important implications for the design of educational systems. By embracing these principles, educational systems can become more effective at preparing students for the challenges of the future.
“If a living system is suffering from ill health, the remedy is to connect it with more of itself.” -Francisco Varella
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