Our purpose
The Tavistock Institute of Human Relations is focused on the study of human behaviour within organisations, aiming to enable learning and change that will benefit people and the planet.
What we do
For over 75 years, we have blended cutting-edge research with practical applications to help individuals and organisations navigate complexity, change, and human dynamics.
Professional development | Research and evaluation | Consulting services | Coaching | Arts & Organisation
We consider the whole system, applying social science methods to address research questions and creative, psychoanalytic and systems approaches to respond to organisational challenges.
Our status
We are a UK not-for-profit organisation, established in 1947, with sister organisations in Germany and China and a global programme of work.
Our story
We’ve been actively exploring the subject of Human Relations since 1947 in our radical, artistic, questioning institution.
The roots of our work go even further back. After World War I, a group of medical professionals who called themselves the Tavistock group worked with the British Army to help soldiers who had been prisoners during the War to return to civilian life and – equally as importantly – to help their families and communities adjust to having them back.
From connecting with the lives of returning soldiers in the aftermath of war, our work has addressed rapid changes in business management, workplace demographics, and the adoption (or rejection) of new technologies throughout the 20th century.
Now
Now we are engaged in the questions facing our globalised societies in the 21st century.
As we have since our founding, we pour ourselves into systems needing or experiencing change, supporting through the gathering of evidence as well as working with not-knowing and uncertainty. We think about why we do what we do, and sometimes we accept that change isn’t the answer.
How we can help | Publications | Journals
What arises from the Tavistock Institute of Human Relations isn’t abstract, it’s applicable study making a difference in all of our lives.
We focus on how humans relate to each other and non-human systems, how we grow in character and how we embrace learning, creativity and change.
We work across and between boundaries
We work across disciplines and draw on a rich mix of expertise and thinking. We are collaborative and hopeful.
We create safe spaces for difficult conversations
We listen, observe and engage in dialogue. We work with and for people in everything we do.
We work with hidden and sometimes unconscious factors...
whilst staying grounded in the context and in what might be under the surface.
We put theory and knowledge into practice
Our practice is evidence-based and we depend on data - both that which is derived from rational research methods and that which is derived from explorations of the mind. We are able to play with ideas, myths and stories to deepen the meaning and application of our research outcomes.
We bring rigour, reflection and care to our work
We partner with our clients to achieve the best outcome, journeying with them to access and apply their own resources.
We work with the unexpected
We are ready for the unknown and we work with curiosity and also with confidence. We can take helpful risks for clients to reach the goals of our work together.
Research, evaluation and consultancy
Advancing the understanding and application of Group Relations methods
Professional and personal development
Publishing, knowledge sharing, community building
Read our charitable objectives
Read about our governance
Health, care
Arts and organisations
Life at work and wellbeing
Change, learning, development
Personal, interpersonal, organisational, socio-ecological
Environmental and social justice
Leadership
Read our latest Annual Report