Revisiting the ‘wicked’ problem of in/exclusion

Elizabeth Done

Revisiting the ‘wicked’ problem of in/exclusion

School of Law, Humanities and Social Sciences

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › peer-review

Abstract

This chapter problematises the introduction of the concept of the ‘wicked’ problem, derived from Rittel and Webber (1973), into the inclusion-related literature. The chapter outlines some key features of Rittel and Webber’s (1973) proposed distinction between ‘wicked’ and ‘tame’ problems, and interrogates their arguments from a poststructuralist perspective. An alternative ontology derived primarily from Deleuze (2004) will be considered, which recognises the potential complexity of problems while avoiding suggestions of intractability that risk undermining resistance to the problems of in/exclusion and structural inequities.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	Challenging Exclusionary Pressures in Education
Subtitle of host publication	How Inclusion Becomes Exclusion
Editors	Elizabeth J. Done
Publisher	Palgrave-Springer
Chapter	11
ISBN (Print)	978-3-032-07768-4, 3032077680
Publication status	Accepted/In press - 27 Sept 2025

Cite this

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abstract = "This chapter problematises the introduction of the concept of the {\textquoteleft}wicked{\textquoteright} problem, derived from Rittel and Webber (1973), into the inclusion-related literature. The chapter outlines some key features of Rittel and Webber{\textquoteright}s (1973) proposed distinction between {\textquoteleft}wicked{\textquoteright} and {\textquoteleft}tame{\textquoteright} problems, and interrogates their arguments from a poststructuralist perspective. An alternative ontology derived primarily from Deleuze (2004) will be considered, which recognises the potential complexity of problems while avoiding suggestions of intractability that risk undermining resistance to the problems of in/exclusion and structural inequities. ",

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AB - This chapter problematises the introduction of the concept of the ‘wicked’ problem, derived from Rittel and Webber (1973), into the inclusion-related literature. The chapter outlines some key features of Rittel and Webber’s (1973) proposed distinction between ‘wicked’ and ‘tame’ problems, and interrogates their arguments from a poststructuralist perspective. An alternative ontology derived primarily from Deleuze (2004) will be considered, which recognises the potential complexity of problems while avoiding suggestions of intractability that risk undermining resistance to the problems of in/exclusion and structural inequities.

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SN - 3032077680

BT - Challenging Exclusionary Pressures in Education

A2 - Done, Elizabeth J.

PB - Palgrave-Springer

ER -

Revisiting the ‘wicked’ problem of in/exclusion

Abstract

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