Eric Miller, Social Scientist and Organisational Consultant

Mannie Sher is a principal researcher, consultant, and trustee at the Tavistock Institute of Human Relations. His work draws on a psycho-social approach, exploring links between individual and collective dynamics, and is grounded in a belief that democracy, social constructivism, and psychological insight foster healthier societies. He is co-author of the three-volume Systems Psychodynamics series (2022–2023).David Lawlor is a Professional Partner at the Tavistock Institute of Human Relations, specialising in systems psychodynamics, organisational consultancy, and action research. He is a visiting lecturer at the Tavistock and Portman NHS Trust, an international Group Relations consultant, and co-author of the three-volume Systems Psychodynamics series (2022–2023).

‘You could find no better example of why our globe, and especially the NHS, is in such a mess than the fate of Eric Miller, one of our society’s most creative individuals. His work lies in the bowels of the Wellcome Foundation—out of sight and nearly lost—saved only by Lawlor and Sher. A rare Tavistock consultant, Eric viewed every intervention in relation to global systems and insisted on contained connectedness. He wove disciplines into an integrated understanding of organisational life. This approach once earned a major reputation, now replaced by a professional merry-go-round rewarding heroic individualism over systemic connectedness.’Dr Anton Obholzer, Former CEO, Tavistock & Portman NHS Trust

• Editors & Contributing AuthorsForewordOlya KhaleeleeIntroductionHomageEric J Miller: His Life & WorkPart I ConsultancyOrganizational Development and Industrial Democracy: An Overview of Eric Miller's WorkThe Consultant Role and the Development of TheoryThe Roles of the Consultant: Triangles and PolygonsFacing Up to your Own Problems, 1974Part 2 Working Note Eric Miller's Ideas on the Working NoteThe Grail Working Note No. 3Part 3 Socio-technical SystemsKey Aspects of Eric Miller's work on Socio-technical Systems: Foundations of Socio‑Technical Systems TheoryDesigning and Building a New Organisation: Some Lessons of a Green-field SituationThe Influence of Advanced Technology on the Structure of Management OrganisationSocial Factors in Setting up a New WorksThe Human ElementThe Work of the Tavistock Institute on the Design of Socio-technical Systems: Summary of FindingsPart 4 Group RelationsIntroductionThe Leicester Model: Conceptual FrameworkPart 5 Examples of Organisational WorkIntroduction to Organisation Development & ConsultancyOrganisational Development in the UK and USA: OD & Industrial DemocracyEric Miller’s Work with the Church of England, 1973: IntroductionCASR 950 the Diocese of Chelmsford: A Preliminary Study of the Organization of Education and Training in the Context of the Task of Ministry: A Second Working NoteThe Hospital‑Cum‑Medical School Complex: A Preliminary Assessment for an Analysis for an Action Research Project of a London Teaching Hospital‑Cum‑Medical SchoolThe Calico Mills: The Drawing of Organizational Boundaries within a Department, Womshed OrganizationPart 6 The Cotswold CommunityWorking with the Cotswold Community: IntroductionThe Cotswold Community: Management Implications of the Therapeutic TaskThe X Factor – The Cotswold Community: A Working NoteThe Cotswold Community Thoughts on Staff Dynamics & Group Work: a Working NoteThe Cotswold Community Strengthening the Organisation: Working Note, May 1994A Letter to John Whitwell, 1997Towards an Organisational Model for the Residential Treatment of AdolescentsLetter to John Whitwell, Principal, The Cotswold Community,1998Part 7 Rural DevelopmentRural Development IntroductionTavistock Institute of Human Relations Plan Nacional Hidraulico Working Note No. 1 Government and WaterIntroduction to the Consulting Project Undertaken in Mexico CityOrganisational Model & Challenges in Water Supply & Drainage Systems in Mexico City – Consulting Project (1978)Summarising the Planning Community: IntroductionThe Creation of a Planning Community in a Federal Public Sector: A report by Eric Miller for theSecretary of the President of Mexico, 1971Compania Minera de Cananea March 1986 : A Working NoteCommunal Schemes and Farmer ParticipationThe World Bank Sector Operations Review: Philippines Agriculture Sector (Draft)Part 8 Theory and Lecture NotesPart 8A Groups Social Systems as a Defence: A Narrative OverviewTask Organisation 1The Individual and the Group with reference to Bion's theory of Group Behaviour Vaughn CollegeConference, September 1967; September 1968The Leicester Model: Introduction: Group RelationsA Commentary on Miller’s Paper on the Protomental System and ‘Groupishness’: Bion’s BasicThe Psycho-Political Dimension in Interpersonal and Intergroup Relations: Lecture to the Training Group, Leicester Conference, April 1981Part 8B OrganisationsIntroduction: Organizational Development, Design, and ChangeBoundaries of Responsibility, Authority & Criteria of PerformanceOrganisational Change and Implications for the Managerial RoleBringing Different Cultures Together: Barriers and Overcoming Them: Lecture Given to the Voluntary Centre Conference, July 11th, 1992Chapter for TMSI Volume on Identity, Edited by Chris Vincent: Identity and the Decay of InstitutionsThe Healthy Organisation for the 1990sThe Healthy Organisation, Australia, 1993The Female Entrepreneur: Key Themes in Eric Miller’s Work on Female EntrepreneursThem and Us: The Functions of Splitting in Organisational LifePart 9 Tributes & MemoriesDavid Lawlor and Mannie SherFiddy AbrahamEliat AramDavid Armstrong (1932–2026)John BazalgetteSue BurtonFrancesca CardonaTim Dartington, August 2023Shmuel Erlich and Mira Erlich-GinorJim KrantzJean NeumannAnton ObholzerMark SteinJohn WhitwellVega Zagier RobertsPart 10 Conclusion68 ConclusionReferencesIndex