Sunday 11th August to Saturday 24th August 2024. 

The conference has taken place every year since 1957 and is the flagship of all the other Group Relations conferences and institutions around the world. It is only for those who are deeply invested in understanding their relationship to leadership and authority in complex, uncertain contexts. It is the home of learning by experience.

Task Authority Organisation

Welcome to this iteration of the Leicester Conference of the Tavistock Institute of Human Relations, celebrating 78 years in 2024. The TAO of Tavistock has always provided a leading-edge criticality for leaders working below the surface of apparent realities to engage in profound ways with what it means to be human and how we can meaningfully relate to each other and most critically, our environment.

So, as it has done over the last 67 years, the Leicester Conference is the living laboratory where all leaders, change agents, group and system practitioners, come to deepen their capacity to survive -and thrive - turbulent times and contexts. A place in which to hone the craft of acting in the face of uncertainty, directly from their own experience. 

As we all face the coming decade up to 2033 the UN sustainable develop goals, the digitalisation of the global economy and surviving a climate catastrophe will draw out of us a new set of competencies, skills and abilities to shape our social order. 

The Primary Task of the Conference is:

To study the exercise of authority in the taking up of roles through the interpersonal, inter-group and institutional relations that develop within the conference as an organisation within its wider context.

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What happens at the Leicester Conference?

A temporary organisation is created, in which all members and staff co-create the culture and practices of the organisation as it unfolds. We hold a close scrutiny to everything that happens within the organisation and surface what meanings are embedded within the behaviours as they happen.

The Groups are formed, and events are consulted to by the staff. Designed to surface our assumptions and myths about organisational and social life. As the conference is fully residential, we have the experience of immersing totally into the life of the organisation, eating sleeping and working together consistently for 14 days. There is nothing quite like it.

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What the Director says about The Leicester Conference: 

Dr. Eliat Aram, conference director and director of the Emerging Sub-Conference is the CEO of the Tavistock Institute of Human Relations and has directed 12 Leicester conferences (2007-2023) and many conferences all over the world.

Rachel Kelly, associate director and director of the Deepening Praxis Training Group is a Principal at the Institute and Group Relations Consultant. 

Conference Administrator’s Narrative:

Leah Ashton-Hurst is the Operations Manager & People Co-ordinator at the Tavistock Institute.

Conference staff will be announced in due course. 

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Venue

CIM Moor Hall, Cookham, Maidenhead, Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, Berkshire, SL6 9QH.

Located in the idyllic village of Cookham, with close proximity to Windsor, Maidenhead and Heathrow Airport, Moor Hall is an elegant 19th century Manor House. All bedrooms come with ensuite and and guests at Moor Hall can take advantage of onsite lounge bar, quiet work area, gym and restaurant. 

Moor Hall is one hour out of Central London, thirty minutes from Heathrow Airport, easily accessible by public transport and situated on 9 acres of peaceful Berkshire countryside. 

Representing outstanding value, the fee includes 13 nights accommodation, all meals and refreshments and the consultancy of world leaders in the field of systems psychodynamics, organisational consultancy and coaching.

Further Discounts for joint applications from the same organisation, or joint applications from those affiliated to the same national group relations sponsoring organisations. For severe financial hardship, bursaries and scholarships are available on application and further supporting statement.

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Sub-conferences

Emerging Sub-Conference: is for people who have never attended a residential group relations conference, or those who choose to return and rediscover the member role a fresh.

Deepening Praxis Training Group: for those who wish to train as group relations conference consultants and those seeking to deepen their organisational consultancy skills. The Deepening Praxis Training Group (DPTG) is for people who have attended at least 2 residential group relations conferences recognised by the Tavistock Institute, at least one of which is a Leicester conference.

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Next Steps

To apply for the conference please complete the online application form and pay the deposit. 

If you have any questions about the conference, please contact Leah Ashton-Hurst, Conference Administrator or Meg Davies, Professional Development Manager.