Abstract
As a derivative from Cultural Historical Activity Theory (CHAT), where gaining insight into the circumstances of an activity is among its applications, this article presents an approach to initiating and structuring activity system guided conversation where the intent is to strengthen stakeholder empathy and partnership in action. Whilst this paper is not, in-itself, an outcome of so-focused research, it is a sharing of insights accruing from ethnographic research largely in the vocational education and training (VET) arena and, in particular, ongoing exploration of the circumstances aiding and inhibiting Australian VET teachers including researching and drawing upon the research of others as part of their professional practice.
 In essence, this article posits that activity system – as derived from CHAT – guided conversation has much utility in achieving empathetic partnerships between stakeholders in an activity where their respective interests might otherwise be in conflict. Accordingly, the notion of the ‘Hinge’ is offered as a device to expand the utility of Activity Theory. The ‘Hinge’ being constructed by conversation agreeing the ‘Object’, which is the most influencing of ‘Rule’, ‘Community’ or ‘Division of Labour’ and then the nature of enabling ‘Tool’.
Highlights
This offering is motivated by experience that some social research has lesser outcomes than would otherwise be the case consequent upon subtle nuances of insights going un-noticed and/or not acted upon
Informed by research into nurturing the occurrence of Australian Vocational Education and Training (VET) teachers researching and drawing upon the research of others, as a part of their professional practice, this article is an overview of an activity system approach to initiating and sustaining conversation and commitment to action
The conversation being between stakeholders with common overall goal but differing purpose as relates to their immediate interests
Summary
This offering is motivated by experience that some (if not much) social research has lesser outcomes than would otherwise be the case consequent upon subtle nuances of insights going un-noticed and/or not acted upon. Whilst the Australian VET teacher engagement ‘in’ (researching) and ‘with’ (drawing upon) research is used for illustrative purposes, this is a sharing of a CHAT approach with broad application in using conversation as a pathway to empathy and partnering in action between stakeholders with differing goals In this finding-common-ground respect, the elements of an activity system present as a structure for scoping the matter and, in particular, revealing contradictions/tensions between the elements which may otherwise go un-said and, not addressed.
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