Hello Robyn. Can I say it has been a real privilege and an education to read your paper? I LOVE it. It is, without doubt, absolutely worthy of publication and should be celebrated for the heartfelt, rigorous, academic, yet always deeply human response to the people around you and the work you do. I had tears in my eyes sometimes as I was reading, because I was so moved by the genuineness of the relationships, the qualities of tolerance, kindness, empathy, respect for each other, that were manifested throughout. I found myself thinking, if only countries could behave like this to each other, then we would make rapid progress as a species!

I have no doubts about your paper's publishable quality and I do not make any of the slight amendments I am suggesting (apart from the formatting inaccuracies) to be conditions of its publication. As far as I'm concerned it is wonderful in its own right and needs to be published. Do have a look at the attached paper. I have made many comments, most of them of a textual nature, but quite a few of a more incisive and reflective quality. There is, however, one point I would like to emphasise.

I think your paper is even more than you seem to be explaining it. You are showing, very clearly in my view, how you are living alongsidedness in your practice. That's clear and I agree with the ways in which you are doing that. They show a very cogent and persuasive view of your practice and your reflections on it. You show how you are creating your own Living Theory.

What is slightly missing for me - and this may simply be my opinion and I am not, therefore, making it a condition of publication - is that you're doing more than that. I think you're actually demonstrating, as you go along, how your insights into alongsidedness are changing and developing, that your value of alongsidedness is itself alive as you and your groups are alive. 

And more than that. I think you're clarifying your own logic, i.e. through your own experiences with your past, current and potential research, you are showing how you come to conclusions about validity, truth and significance. I've added a link to a paper I wrote in 2004, which has the title, A description of my own logic, which, in my own way, shows the links between my living standards of judgement in my practice and the ways in which I can think and write about it (i.e. my logic).

If this idea doesn't speak to you, then that's fine. Your paper is beautiful and I have had such a lovely time today reading it through and making notes.

Thanks, Robyn. A real joy to read.

Moira

Hi, Robyn. Thank you for sharing your experience with this wonderful program. I thoroughly enjoyed your paper and have a greater understanding of your value of alongsidedness as expressed in this impressive Moving On Up project. The rigour of the research is undeniable and your writing style is enjoyable. The headings provide helpful signposts for the reader.

The project is clearly a collaborative effort to improve the world of mothers and babies. I believe strongly that improving the world economically, socially, politically and philosophically will come from focusing on the very young and their brain development. Dr. Fraser Mustard's work has influenced me greatly http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2528649/.

I understand the nature of methodological inventiveness which is part and parcel of the Living Theory research process and methodology which you have explained very well. I need more explanation of alongsidedness as a methodology.

Conducting research collaboratively, 'Enquire collaboratively', in my mind is a complex process in which more than one person engages in the research and writing. It is complex because of the need to recognize all of the voices democratically and not lose the individual's contribution. You have done a great job of this and have engaged the mothers as they felt comfortable.

I find this article ready for publication once my concern about methodology is addressed. I have attached a few comments on the article itself.

Thank you for this opportunity to enter your world of health care.

Love, Jackie