Springer Mixed Methods and Cross Disciplinary Research: Towards Cultivating Eco-systemic Living (Contemporary Systems Thinking)

This book uses mixed methods to extend the concept of “wellbeing stocks” to refer to dynamic ways of working with others. It addresses metaphors and praxis for weaving together strands of experience. The aim of the wellbeing stocks concept is to enable people to re-evaluate economics and to become more aware of the way in which we neglect social and environmental aspects of life. The pursuit of profit at the expense of people and the environment is a central problem for democracy and governance. The vulnerability of cities is a symptom of the lack of balance between individual and collective needs. This book explores the potential for cities, specifically in the regions of Indonesia, Africa, and Australia, to become more productive as sites for food and water security through more creative use of technology. It highlights the need for partners that see food and security feasible at the household level if supports are provided at the community, national and international level.  The book examines how these regions are affected by demographics, climate change and people movements, but also explores ways to establish an effective cultural ecosystem management.  From the Back Cover This book uses mixed methods to extend the concept of “wellbeing stocks” to refer to dynamic ways of working with others. It addresses metaphors and praxis for weaving together strands of experience. The aim of the wellbeing stocks concept is to enable people to re-evaluate economics and to become more aware of the way in which we neglect social and environmental aspects of life. The pursuit of profit at the expense of people and the environment is a central problem for democracy and governance. The vulnerability of cities is a symptom of the lack of balance between individual and collective needs. This book explores the potential for cities, specifically in the regions of Indonesia, Africa, and Australia, to become more productive as sites for food and water security through more creative use of technology. It highlights the need for partners that see food and security feasible at the household level if supports are provided at the community, national and international level.  The book examines how these regions are affected by demographics, climate change and people movements, but also explores ways to establish an effective cultural ecosystem management.  About the Author Janet McIntyre-Mills, Flinders University (nee Mills; publish as McIntyre-Mills) Associate Professor at Flinders University, Honorary Professor at the University of South Africa in the College of Education, Training and Youth Development, an Adjunct Professor at the University of Indonesia. The adjunct appointments recognize over 30 years’ experience in policy research addressing complex social challenges.    Her research addresses social justice issues such as health, housing and social inclusion and the mitigation and adaptation to climate change.  She addresses complex needs by exploring the meanings and ‘what if’ questions with diverse stakeholders. She has written several books including: ‘Systemic Governance and Accountability’, Springer and ‘User-centric Policy Design to address Complex Needs’. She is chair of the International Systems Special Integration Group, entitled: ‘Balancing individualism and Collectivism’ and in the past was elected three times to Research Committee 10 on Organizational Transformation of the International Sociological Association.   Her recent research addresses non anthropocentric policy for living systems.  In 2017 her volumes for the Springer Contemporary Systems Series address the challenge to re-generate living systems. The sole authored volume is  entitled: ‘Planetary Passport for Representation, Accountability and Re-Generation  and the edited volume together with Professors Romm and Corcoran Nantes is entitled :  ‘Balancing Individualism and Collectivism: Social and Environmental Justice’.