Barry Rogers
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Barry Rogers is Visiting Professor of Practice at the Department of Psychological and Behavioural Science, London School of Economics. Since 2002 he has led the course ‘Organizational Life’. This aims to make sense of emerging organizational themes while simultaneously building a bridge between theory and practice through the sense-giving methodology of re-contextualization.
Barry combines university teaching with the design and delivery of customised executive education. He specializes in simulation-based, transformation experiences for a wide range of global organisations, with a particular focus on climate change and the energy transition. Central to his practice is negotiating the distinct ontological and epistemological characters of the classroom and the workplace. He has a particular interest in post-program implementation - the period after formal programs. Here Barry adopts a re-contextualisation approach focusing on the role of linear and non-linear time in the unfolding processes of liminal, social change. Barry won the gold award for excellence at the 2019/20 BHG Global Human Capital Management Awards for his work in the field.
In April 2024, he joins the IAS for a one-month writing residency.
Research Interests
Organizational and Social Psychology, Production and reconstruction of knowledge(s), Processes of recontextualization, Transformational learning and process.
Shaping the energy transition: exploring the behavioral underbelly of transformational deal-making in a global energy firm
Why are we making such slow progress in the face of existential, climate dread? One answer may lie in the focus of our debate surrounding the energy transition. Here, an over-emphasis on the behaviours of (energy) consumers masks any meaningful understanding of producer behaviours. The latter, in particular International and National Oil Companies, actively shape our energy future via the deals they construct and agree today.
This study builds on 17 years of research and practice in a global energy firm, working with key actors (senior dealmakers) attempting to reshape the energy mix. At its core is a transformational learning program that forms part of a 10 week, contextualized change process. Over 2,500 senior deal leaders have participated in the program in small groups (20-24) from 2008 to the present.
The findings suggest that deeply embedded processes contribute to the ‘behavioral underbelly’ of deal-making, enabling and, in many cases, constraining the ability to learn and change. These behavioral processes have a meaningful impact on the character of the energy transition, and, ultimately, the future of our planet. The purpose of the study is to make sense of this 17 year experience, all the while pulling on the perspective and experiences of IAS colleagues. A wide-ranging data-set (qualitative and qualitative) underpins the study, including a detailed ethnography (I ‘lived’ at the firms HQ for just under a year of my life – 354 days – between 2008 and 2019, staying at the in-house hotel while undertaking my work).
This research connects more broadly to a range of topic areas including translation vehicles, double-loop learning and the linkage between time, identity and legitimacy in practicing new behaviors. It also contributes to an understanding of the role of organizational politics, culture and leadership in key transformational moments.
Key Publications
Burnard, Dragovic, Heaton, & Rogers. (2018). "Why policy matters particularly in professional doctorates". Methodologies for PracticeResearch: Approaches for Professional Doctorates, 33.
Rogers, B. M. (2020). The mountaintop and the swamp; the role of time in the practising of change commitments after a customised executive education programme. Unpublished EdD Thesis. University of Cambridge.
 New session of the "Paris IAS Ideas" online talk series, with the participation of Barry Rogers, London School of Economics / 2023-2024 Paris IAS Fellowsidence d'écriture 2023-2024) dans le cadre du cycle "Paris IAS Ideas" |
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