Sign In

Cynthia Kurtz

Researcher, writer, consultant in organizational and community narrative.

Cynthia Kurtz is a multifaceted professional with a rich background in research, writing, and narrative work. Here's a comprehensive overview of her professional profile:

Professional Background

Academic Foundation: Kurtz holds a strong academic background in science, with:

  • M.A. in Ecology and Evolution from Stony Brook University
  • B.S. in Biology from PennWest Clarion1

Professional Expertise

Narrative and Organizational Work: Kurtz is a renowned researcher, writer, and consultant specializing in organizational and community narrative. She is the creator of Participatory Narrative Inquiry (PNI), an approach that focuses on:

  • Collecting diverse perspectives and experiences
  • Discovering and making sense of narrative patterns
  • Supporting decision-making processes13

Key Professional Highlights:

  • Owner of her own consulting practice since January 20011
  • Worked at IBM Research in the Knowledge Socialization group4
  • Helped establish the IBM Cynefin Center4
  • Authored the influential book Working with Stories in Your Community or Organization13

Notable Contributions

Professional Experience: Kurtz has worked with numerous organizations, including:

  • IBM
  • Forest Service of British Columbia
  • Environment Canada
  • Coca-Cola
  • Sloan-Kettering Memorial Cancer Center
  • US DARPA
  • Singapore Police Force4

Software Development:

  • Co-created NarraFirma, an open-source software for narrative work2
  • Developed tools for story gathering and pattern discovery2

Recent Work

Recent Publications:

  • Working with Stories (third edition)
  • Confluence (published in 2021)45

Kurtz continues to be a prominent figure in narrative research, helping organizations and communities understand complex challenges through storytelling and collaborative sensemaking.23

Highlights

Appreciating Cynthia Kurtz's work - Chris Corrigan
Apr 6 · youtube.com
065 Stories Are How We Think with Cynthia F. Kurtz - YouTube
065 Stories Are How We Think with Cynthia F. Kurtz - YouTube
Working with Stories with Cynthia Kurtz - Business Agility Institute

Related Questions

What is Participatory Narrative Inquiry (PNI)?
How did Cynthia Kurtz transition from biology to organizational storytelling?
What is NarraFirma and how does it work?
Can you explain the concept of "story-listening"?
What are some practical applications of PNI in organizations?
Cynthia Kurtz
Cynthia Kurtz, photo 1
Cynthia Kurtz, photo 2
Add to my network

Location

Northville, New York, United States