Staying close with the ontology of process research: Developing theorizing of the research practice through circular responding

This paper is an experiment into theorizing process ontology research drawing on the change theories of process-pragmatist Mary Parker Follett. Drawing on Follett’s understanding of concepts as created by motor reactions and the inseparable activity of percept and concept, conceptualization is investigated as functional mattering in change-oriented participatory inquiry. The paper illustrates process research as a burgeoning practice across professional contexts and responsibilities such a research projects and educational programs. It presents two ethnographic narratives illustrating the coming together of situation and acting in the emergence of concept/conceptualizing. Throughout the paper reconstructed past and imagined peer conversations portrayed in the form of dialogue sequences support the intended reflexivity to the reflexive process inquiry which is mobilized to theorize process ontology research. The paper suggests that to stay close with the ontology in process theorizing we need to draw on theories of change as our models and theories of theorization.