Establishing a co-operative inquiry group: The perspective of a “first-time” inquirer

This paper gives a detailed account of the activities I engaged in when establishing a co-operative inquiry (CI) group of 12 young women managers. I feel this “beginning” stage is not (well) documented. I acutely felt the gap this left in my understanding of how inquiries of this nature emerge and the shape they take, when setting out to inquire in this way for the first time. I believe voice and language are key throughout this early stage and here I evidence the choices I made in relation to both of these. Reflecting on these choices enabled me to understand my developing focus on process as well as the many “why?” and “how?” questions, which emerge at this early stage—an understanding which I believe is central to enriching both our “experience of ” and our “talking about” our practice as inquirers.