James Conklin

Biography

James Conklin joined the Department of Applied Human Sciences as an Adjunct Professor in 2007, and is now a member of the full-time faculty. He teaches Human Relations undergraduate courses and Human Systems Intervention graduate courses. From 1989 until 2009 he operated a consultancy called Cadence Human Systems Inc., with offices in Ottawa and Winnipeg. The firm provided change management, knowledge management,organization development, communication, and education services for public and private sector clients. From 2005 to 2009 he was a leader of the evaluation program for Ontario’s Seniors Health Research Transfer Network, which sought to further our understanding of large system change through the movement of new knowledge into frontline practices. From 2007 to 2010 he acted as facilitator for an international think tank of aphasia researchers who were seeking to refine their collective research agenda and develop a knowledge transfer strategy. From 2013 to 2016 Dr. Conklin was co-leader of the knowledge translation and exchange team for the OPEN research program, which was focused on the transformation of pharmacy practice in Ontario. Dr. Conklin’s work generally makes use of sensemaking and social learning frameworks and qualitative methods. He is the winner of the 2012 Concordia University Alumni Award for Excellence in Teaching.

Research Interest

Dr. Conklin’s primary research interest is planned change and innovation. He is exploring this interest through a program of research focusing on how knowledge moves within and between bounded groups in workplace settings in Canada’s health system. Dr. Conklin's research relies primarily on qualitative methods, and is informed by theories of action science and sense making.