Victor Friedman Ruppin Institute, Israel

Victor J. Friedman, Phd., is Associate Professor of Organizational Behavior and co-chair of the Action Research Center for Social Justice at the Max Stern Yezreel Valley College, Israel. His life’s work is helping individuals, organizations, and communities learn through “action science” – theory building, experimentation and critical reflection in everyday life. He began his professional career studying Arabic and working in Arab-Jewish relations in Tunisia and Israel in the 1970’s. Subsequently, he studied cross-cultural psychology and organizational psychology. Since returning to Israel in 1987, he has conducted action research in organizational learning, intercultural communication, conflict resolution, social inclusion, social entrepreneurship, and the use of art in social change. His current interest is reviving social space and field theory as “actionable” concepts for promoting learning and change. He has published over fifty articles and book chapters and has co-authored books entitled Demystifying Organizational Learning, The “New Education Environment”: Action Strategies for Intervention in Schools, and From Exclusion to Excellence: Building Restorative Relationships to Create Inclusive School. He was an Associate Editor of the Sage Encyclopedia of Action Research and currently serves as Associate Editor of the Action Research Journal. He serves on the board of the Global Campaign for Middle East Peace and is active in the ATD Fourth World Movement to eradicate extreme poverty. He lives with his wife in Zichron Jacob, Israel and has four grown children and three grandchildren.