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Professor Simon Bell
The Open University, Department of Engineering and Innovation
Simon is Professor of Innovation and Methodology at The Open University.
He is an internationally recognised authority on group facilitation and helping communities achieve sustainability. He has more than thirty years’ experience in devising and applying practical methods for exploring the sustainable signature of groups and communities. His work in over 40 countries and with over 100 organisations ranges from the United Nations and the European Union to small charities and NGOs.
He has published over 200 items including books, graphic novels and journal papers and is currently Professor of Innovation and Methodology at The Open University as well as Chief Executive Officer of the Bayswater Institute in London. In his work for the Institute he makes use of Subliminal Stories in personal coaching and group work – primarily in the Bayswater flag ship: Wisdom in Groups where he makes use of the Double Task approach to achieving GroupAware.
Much of Simon’s current work relates to the identification and alleviation of fear in personal, group and organisational settings – his recent book: ‘The Formations of Terror' sets out a thesis on the basis for and the management of fear. The book is supported by the OU website Project Fear.
Academic advisor for: Guide to diagrams, Terminal Cities
Professor Simon Bell's activities
Browse 8 OpenLearn items Professor Simon Bell has worked on
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When two worlds collide: Achieving wisdom in online groups114
The comic S World - M World, is a story showing the different behaviours between our solitary (M World) and our shared lives (S World).
Updated on:
26 Jul 2019
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What do you know about S World - M World?114
The comic S World - M World, is a story showing the behaviours between our solitary (M World) and our shared lives (S World). Try this interactive quiz to test your knowledge on how much you know about the comic.
Updated on:
29 Jan 2019
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The Open University under Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0 license
What do you know about fear?114
Fear is something we all have an instinct about. But what do we really know about fear? Try this interactive quiz to test your knowledge about fear.
Updated on:
29 Jun 2017
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Project Fear: Order your free graphic novel114
An uncertain world. Can systems thinking free us from fear? Simon Bell & Charles Cutting's graphic novel asks the question.
Updated on:
27 Jun 2017
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The Open University under Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0 license
Book, comic and animation - What is the fear collection? 114
Professor Simon Bell tells the story behind Project Fear.
Updated on:
01 Jun 2017
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Terminal Cities114
Everyone wants to be able to go everywhere, but no-one wants the Terminal City near them. Simon Bell discusses the paradox of modern air travel.
Updated on:
13 Jun 2013
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The Open University under Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0 license
Guide to diagrams114
Diagrams allow us to think in new ways and approach problems differently. Learn five invaluable diagramming techniques with this video series and quiz
Updated on:
29 Aug 2012
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Systemic Inquiry114
The Eurofighter multi-national design and construction project was a textbook case in systems thinking and the study of complexity. Simon Bell explains why
Updated on:
19 Oct 2005
Professor Simon Bell's Research & Publications
Browse Professor Simon Bell 's latest research on Open Research Online

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