Reg Revans

Reg Revans

British scientist, specialist in control theory
Date of Birth: 14.05.1907
Country: Great Britain

Content:
  1. Reg Revans: A British Scientist and Management Theory Specialist
  2. Early Life and Education
  3. Achievements in Sports
  4. Contributions in Education and Management
  5. Academic Career and International Recognition
  6. Later Years and Contributions

Reg Revans: A British Scientist and Management Theory Specialist

Reginald Revans, a British scientist and specialist in management theory, is considered the founder of the theory of "action learning." This theory suggests that learners not only actively acquire skills through practical tasks but also help each other master the material by acknowledging their own weaknesses and addressing knowledge gaps through effective questioning.

Reg Revans

Early Life and Education

Reginald was born in Portsmouth, England, into a family of a naval inspector. In the late 1920s, Revans studied astrophysics at the University of Cambridge and later continued his education in Michigan on a scholarship. Upon returning to Britain, he worked under the supervision of Lord Ernest Rutherford and J.J. Thomson. Revans' team consisted of five Nobel laureates, and although they were highly respected, they maintained a modest demeanor according to Revans. During this time, Revans began to contemplate the concept of problem-solving and the distinction between knowledge and wisdom.

Achievements in Sports

In 1928, Reginald Revans represented Great Britain at the Summer Olympics in Amsterdam, where he ranked 32nd in the long jump. In the first British Empire Games in 1930, he won silver medals in long jump and triple jump.

Contributions in Education and Management

From 1935 to 1945, Revans worked as an educational officer in Essex. He then served as the head of educational training at the National Coal Board from 1945 to 1950. It was during his time at the board that Revans began developing the concept of "action learning." He believed that true learning could only occur through practical exercises and under the guidance of professionals, preferably in small teams.

Academic Career and International Recognition

From 1955 to 1965, Revans taught at the University of Manchester. Later, he moved to Belgium, where he led a multinational project aimed at raising the country's global status. Through his collaboration with five universities and 23 major companies, Belgium made significant progress, surpassing the industrial growth rates of the United States, Germany, and Japan. Revans received the highest national honors from the King of Belgium. In 1969, he was also bestowed with an honorary doctorate from the University of Bath.

Later Years and Contributions

In the 1970s and 1980s, Revans traveled extensively and published several renowned works, including "Developing Effective Managers" in 1971, "The Origins and Growth of Action Learning" in 1982, and "ABC of Action Learning" in 1983. In the 1980s, Revans actively collaborated with private and public organizations in and outside of the United Kingdom. He promoted "action learning" as an effective method for enhancing skills and facilitating knowledge exchange. In the 1990s, Revans worked closely with the City of London and individuals such as Raymond Mahoney and Alan Wenham-Prosser, learning valuable problem-solving techniques that influenced his future works.

Despite his dedication to the field of management, Revans also pursued various hobbies. During his free time, he crafted furniture, played the trumpet, and created illustrations for children's books.

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