Open lectures: thinking about organisations – November 2026
Join our livestream to hear Dr Chris Nicholson present on ‘The Batterings of Neurotic Disorder – Bion’s Timeless Memo’
In this series of open lectures, our Consulting and Leading in Organisations DProf (D10D) team welcome eminent external speakers to present on a range of themes related to organisational and social dynamics.
In this free lecture, taking place on Thursday 5 November 2026, Dr Chris Nicholson will present on ‘The Batterings of Neurotic Disorder – Bion’s Timeless Memo’
Students and members of staff at Tavistock Education and Training are invited to attend the lecture in-person, while others are welcome to join this livestream via Zoom.
About this lecture
In this talk, Dr Chris Nicholson will focus of Bion’s ‘Wharncliffe memorandum’. Although lost, this document marks the beginning, during the Second World War at Northfield, of the therapeutic community and so much else that was pregnant in this simple memo. He will also draw a line back in time to the extraordinary work of W.H.R. Rivers, the famous doctor of Craiglockhart Military War Hospital in the First World War, and the decisive influence Rivers had upon John Rickman, who would in turn become Bion’s mentor and confidant. Could it be that the transmission of personal qualities and values are as important as intellectual ideas, and in fact, are what makes way for ideas, new ways of seeing and thinking?
About this speaker
Dr Chris Nicholson is Chair of The Consortium of Therapeutic Communities and a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Psychosocial and Psychoanalytic Studies, University of Essex. Chris launched two new degrees, BA Psychodynamic Practice (which he leads) and BA Childhood Studies and was Head of Department from 2018 – 2022. Previously, he worked in therapeutic communities and other services for traumatised adolescents. His 2010 book, Children and Adolescents in Trauma: Creative Therapeutic Approaches, draws on these experiences. His academic research centres on the poet Robert Graves, Therapeutic Communities and children’s homes, psychoanalysis and literature. He sits on the Editorial Board of the Robert Graves Review, and the International Journal of Therapeutic Communities. He is Director of the Tavistock Discovering Leadership Group Relations Conference.
Who is this event for?
This livestream is open to anyone who may be interested in hearing about some of the latest ideas and developments in organisational and social dynamics – including leaders, managers, coaches, consultants, and those considering this area for future training or research.
Students and members of staff at Tavistock Education and Training are invited to attend this event in-person, while others are welcome to join our livestream via Zoom.
Event details
- This open lecture will take place on Thursday 5 November 2026 from 5.15 to 6.30pm
- The open lecture will be livestreamed online via Zoom
- The livestream is free to join, but you must register to secure your place
- Joining details will be emailed to you after you have signed up.