Social Dreaming ― Philosophy, Research, Theory and Practice

The idea of social dreaming argues that dreams are relevant to the wider social sphere and have a collective resonance that goes beyond the personal narrative.

In this fascinating collection, the principles of social dreaming are explored to uncover shared anxieties and prejudices, suggest likely responses, enhance cultural surveys, inform managerial policies and embody community affiliation. Including, for the first time, a coherent epistemology to support the theoretical principles of the field, the book reflects upon and extends the theory and philosophy behind the method, as well as discussing new research in the area, and how social dreaming practice is conducted in a range of localities, situations and circumstances.

The book will appeal to anyone interested in the idea that social dreaming can help us to delve deeper into the question of what it means to be human, from psychoanalysts to sociologists and beyond.

Dr. Susan Long is Director of Research at the National Institute for Organisation Dynamics Australia. She conducts research in organisational change and collaborative dynamics, and supervises research candidates (susan.long@nioda.org.au). She is president of the Gordon Lawrence Foundation for the promotion of social dreaming and a past president of the International Society for the Psychoanalytic Study of Organisations. She is also an organisational consultant in private practice.

Dr. Julian Manley works at the University of Central Lancashire, UK. His research focusses on psychosocial applications of visual methods and Deleuzian perspectives, with a particular emphasis on social dreaming. He is Vice-Chair and Academic Research Lead of the Gordon Lawrence Foundation for the Promotion of Social Dreaming.