“I’ve spent 40 years applying cybernetic frameworks to real organisations — from the U.S. Army War College to UNESCO to distributed educator networks spanning 18,000 participants. Recently, I’ve been working intensively with Claude (Anthropic’s AI), and something struck me: every interface Claude offers is a different kind of conversation, with different affordances and different costs. So I wrote a practitioner’s guide mapping Claude’s eight conversation surfaces through the lens of Gordon Pask’s Conversation Theory (1975, 1976). The core insight: every time you switch from chat to Claude Code, or from a Project to an Artifact, you’re not just changing tools — you’re changing the structure of the conversation itself. And that structure determines what kind of knowing is possible. The guide introduces what I call the “re-education tax” — the real cost of re-establishing shared understanding when you switch surfaces or start fresh sessions. If you’ve ever felt frustrated explaining context to an AI again after switching tools, you’ve been paying this tax without naming it.”
Sheila Damodaran Global, National & Regional Strategy Development | Leadership Capacity, Systemic Research & Longitudinal Thinking Through The Fifth Discipline
[Another one where I have great sympathy with the author and intent, but don’t agree with the piece overall – however, lots of juicy debate!]
Abdul Aziz Strategy & Performance through Empathy, Architecture and Analytics
February 14, 2026 I recently developed a “Systems & Complexity Lifecycle” framework as a teaching device, treating systems theory, complexity science, chaos theory, and catastrophe theory as temporal stages in how entities evolve from stability through transformation.
The framework maps four stages:
Stage 1 – Systems: Stability and homeostasis (Bertalanffy’s General Systems Theory) Stage 2 – Complexity: Emergence of higher-order properties (Holland’s Hidden Order) Stage 3 – Chaos: Sensitivity to initial conditions (Gleick’s Chaos) Stage 4 – Catastrophe: Discontinuous transformation (Thom’s catastrophe theory)
Global, National & Regional Strategy Development | Leadership Capacity, Systemic Research & Longitudinal Thinking Through The Fifth Discipline
February 15, 2026
Peter Senge: The Fifth Discipline at Thirty-Five — Lineage, Surge, and Scale
Sheila Damodaran Global, National & Regional Strategy Development | Leadership Capacity, Systemic Research & Longitudinal Thinking Through The Fifth Discipline
Free 90 Minute AI Modeling Tools Workshop – Create diagrams such as the one below, completely documented, along with an Aha! Paradox, and emotional story embracing the relationships, usually in 10 min or less. The Workshop will be at 11 am Eastern Time (New York) on Feb 19th, and I’ll send out the Zoom link info 1 day and 1 hour before the workshop. Just reply to this post, and I’ll put you on the list.
At Systems Thinking Systems Practice, 24-26 March 2026, University of Hull, we will again run Skills Training Workshops.
These workshops were a huge success at SysPrac25, with many of them oversubscribed.
They will take the form of interactive workshops, which will further develop your skills or introduce you to new approaches you may not have encountered before.
To vote visit https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfsLoKstfeA5BwI8pK5kAb25abdUAhLeKe2s51Xp4Gmxw_FAg/viewform before 20 February 2026!
The conference: https://stream.syscoi.com/2026/01/25/2026-conference-systems-thinking-and-systems-practice-hosted-by-the-university-of-hull-centre-for-systems-studies-css-systems-and-complexity-in-organisation-scio-and-the-or-society-24-26-march/
Submissions for presentations of papers, panel discussions, workshops, performance sessions, and creative contributions, inspired by George Spencer-Brown’s work and life, are now warmly invited for the Laws of Form 2026 Conference (LoF26).
There is no charge to attend or present at the conference.
Submission Guidelines
Please submit an extended abstract (up to 300 words) outlining the content and structure of your proposed contribution. Please include:
• Title of your presentation
• Name, affiliation, and contact email address
• Format preference (paper presentation, panel discussion, workshop, creative, etc.)
• Short biographical note (≤ 150 words)
• Any AV / technical / access requirements
• Submission deadline Sunday 1st March 2026
• Notification of acceptance 31st March 2026
Facilities for remote video presentations will be available for those unable to attend in person.
If you have a Google account you may prefer to upload your submission here:
https://forms.gle/zknFvXWQXzmfQtn2A
As with previous conferences, and subject to peer review, contributions may be published in Distinction: Journal of Form (College Publications Ltd) or in future volumes of the Spencer-Brown Society book series Marked States.
Venue
University of Cambridge
Faculty of Education
184 Hills Road
Cambridge CB2 8PQ, United Kingdom
Monday 10 August – Friday 14 August 2026
Social & Cultural Events
In addition to the conference, optional events will include:
• Punting on the River Cam
• Evensong at King’s College Chapel
• A meal at the Eagle pub, where, on 28 February 1953, Francis Crick dramatically announced that he and James Watson had “discovered the secret of life.”
Support
LoF26 is entirely free to attend, made possible through the generosity of the Faculty of Education, Cambridge University, sponsors, and individual supporters.
Donations
Contributions toward the costs of running the conference and sharing its results are deeply appreciated and help ensure that participation remains open to all. Every contribution — large or small — directly sustains the continuation of this unique, open, and evolving forum dedicated to the work and life of George Spencer-Brown. If you are able to support this ongoing work, please make a donation through our website: https://lof50.com/
Membership of the Spencer-Brown Society is open to all and free of charge. To join and receive updates on conferences and publications, please visit https://lof50.com
We look forward to welcoming you to Cambridge in August for LoF26!
The Centre for National Training and Research Excellence in Understanding Behaviour (Centre-UB) is inviting applications for a Doctoral Studentship in association with our collaborative partner Sandwell Council to start in October 2026.
Male suicide is a major global public health challenge, accounting for around 75% of suicide deaths worldwide. In the UK, it remains the leading cause of death among men under 50, with persistently high rates despite sustained prevention efforts. Traditional research has focused on individual risk factors (e.g., depression, substance misuse, relationship breakdowns), but these approaches often overlook the complex, systemic nature of suicide.
This PhD will apply systems thinking to male suicide in the UK, recognising the dynamic interactions between individual, social, cultural, and structural factors.
The PhD aims to develop and test a novel systems-based framework to inform both policy and practice, identifying leverage points for more effective intervention. The successful candidate will use a combination of methodological approaches and techniques including realist review, co-production of complex systems map and case study analysis. They will work closely with stakeholders and experts by experience to ensure the research is meaningful, accessible and co-produced with the communities it aims to benefit.
We are looking for a highly talented and dedicated PhD student with a 1st class or 2:1 degree in the field of psychology, health sciences or related field. An MSc degree in a relevant area is desirable though not necessary. Applicants should demonstrate experience in both quantitative and qualitative data analysis. Prior experience working with vulnerable or marginalised populations is highly valued, as is familiarity with stakeholder engaged research, co production approaches, and systems thinking frameworks.
To be considered for this PhD, please follow the instructions, click the ‘Apply’ button above.
Application deadline: February 17 2026
Interviews for this studentship are expected to take place on Friday 20 March 2026.
Centre-UB studentships cover tuition fees, a maintenance stipend, support for research training, as well as research activity support grants. Due to funding stipulations set by UKRI, we are able to recruit up to 30% of international applicants to the cohort each year. You can find further details at https://www.centre-ub.org/studentships/call-for-applicants/
Informal enquiries about the project prior to application can be directed to Dr Maria Michail (m.michail@bham.ac.uk).
We welcome a new SCiO chapter in Poland this month. They have already had an initial meeting and are now moving forward – please see below.
COURSES
Introductory offer for SCiO members: half-price for “How to build a digital-twin business model” by Kim Warren:
Follow key principles and detailed step-by-step lessons in 3 hours of short videos and 100+ slides to build a working business model.
Check out the many free preview lessons and get the course here. Use coupon code SCIOhalf for 50% off – so just £95 (expires on February 4th).
All courses on the SCiO LMS are discounted 10% to members – use the discount code MEMBER10 when booking. The courses currently available are here.
No new courses have been added over the last month, but four more are in final preparation stages and will be up soon. Please remember that if your organisation is interested to use any or all of these, substantial discounts are available.
CONFERENCE INVITATION
We’re pleased to invite you to attend the 2026 Conference: Systems Thinking Systems Practice, taking place at Hull University from 24–26 March 2026.
This three-day conference will bring together practitioners, leaders, academics and system thinkers from across sectors to explore how systems thinking is being applied in practice to address today’s complex organisational, social and policy challenges. The programme will combine thought-provoking keynotes, practical case studies, and opportunities for dialogue, reflection and connection with others working systemically in real-world contexts.
The conference is organised by Hull University’s Centre for Systems Studies in partnership with SCiO, the OR Society and the IFSR, and will be of particular interest to those working in leadership, public services, healthcare, local government, voluntary and community sectors, and organisational development.
SCiO’s Development Event offer an opportunity to draw upon the collective expertise of SCiO members in a friendly and supportive atmosphere. By taking Development Events online, using the Zoom meeting platform, we aim to make them accessible to more SCiO members. Development Events are both for members who are just starting out on a journey to explore Systems Thinking approaches, and for those who have many years of exploration and practice. This is a bring your issues of interest Development Event.
Members only; FREE; Online event; English BOOK NOW
Tue, Mar 24th, 2026 – Thu, Mar 26th, 2026 11:30 – 14:30 GMT
For the first time ever, leading institutions representing a broad range of systems thinking methods and approaches are coming together for a landmark conference on Systems Thinking and Systems Practice.
This conference has been shaped with input from a wide-ranging committee, including members of the UK government’s Systems Thinking Interest Group (STIG) and the International Federation for Systems Research (IFSR). It’s a unique chance to connect with others across the field, share different perspectives, and explore the future of systems practice…..
All welcome; £80 – £210; Hull University Business School, Hull HU6 7RX; English BOOK NOW
In een tijd waarin maatschappelijke, ecologische en organisatorische uitdagingen steeds complexer en meer verweven raken, volstaat lineair probleemdenken niet langer. Wat vandaag als oplossing geldt, kan morgen deel worden van het probleem. Het vraagt van ons een meta-systemische blik — een denkwijze waarin we niet alleen naar het systeem kijken, maar ook naar onze manier van kijken zélf.
In deze derde van een reeks van drie intervisiesessie gaan we samen aan de slag met het gedachtegoed uit het essay “Opening the Box. Systems Thinking for Transformative Conversations.” We gebruiken dit meta-denkkader om per sessie taaie vraagstukken met elkaar te verkennen. Je reikt deze vraagstukken als deelnemer aan uit je eigen praktijk…….
Members only + guests; 30 euro; Kon. Astridlaan 144, 2800 Mechelen, Belgium; Dutch BOOK NOW
In een tijd waarin bedrijven steeds vaker worden aangesproken op hun sociale en ecologische impact, dringt één vraag zich steeds sterker op: Hoe maak je negatieve impact in je productieketen zichtbaar — en hoe neem je daar samen verantwoordelijkheid voor op?
Veel organisaties botsen op dezelfde uitdaging: elke speler vertrekt vanuit zijn eigen noden, rol en beperkingen. Hoe kan je dan tóch systemisch denken en handelen in een complexe ketenomgeving?
Tijdens deze sessie delen Saartje Boutsen en Charlotte Vandierendonck, co-oprichters van Studio D, hun pragmatische aanpak om ketenverantwoordelijkheid werkbaar en gedragen te maken. Vanuit hun ervaring met bedrijven en organisaties reiken ze inzichten, tips en concrete handvaten aan om het gesprek en de samenwerking in de keten op gang te brengen en duurzaam te verankeren….
Members only + guests; 10 euro; Kon. Astridlaan 144, 2800 Mechelen, Belgium; Dutch BOOK NOW
Es ist ein praxisorientiertes Arbeitsbuch mit über 65 Methoden, um komplexe Systeme zu verstehen und effektiv auf Veränderungen zu reagieren. Die Methoden sind nach ihrem Zweck in der 5M-Struktur (Motivate, Meet, Map, Make, Manage) sortiert und bieten jeweils eine kompakte Schritt-für-Schritt-Anleitung für die direkte Anwendung. Das Buch erscheint am 27.02.2026 in englischer Sprache.
SCIO-NL komt elke 1e of 2e vrijdag van de maand live bijeen, meestal in Woerden (Pelmolenlaan 2). Er staan (meestal) geen vaste onderwerpen op de agenda (daarvoor organiseren we specifieke andere meetings), maar de ervaring leert dat er altijd wel een interessant gesprek op gang komt over een systemisch onderwerp. Toegankelijk voor iedereen die de jaarlijkse fee voor de live-bijeenkomsten (€50,-) hiervoor betaald. En voor KNVI-leden. En voor gasten. Neem contact op via ed@doitogether.nl als je interesse hebt, maar nog geen lid van de club bent.
NL Members + guests; FREE; Pelmolenlaan 2, Woerden (At the Office) 5, Woerden, Netherlands; Dutch BOOK NOW
SCIO-NL komt elke 1e of 2e vrijdag van de maand live bijeen, meestal in Woerden (Pelmolenlaan 2). Er staan (meestal) geen vaste onderwerpen op de agenda (daarvoor organiseren we specifieke andere meetings), maar de ervaring leert dat er altijd wel een interessant gesprek op gang komt over een systemisch onderwerp. Toegankelijk voor iedereen die de jaarlijkse fee voor de live-bijeenkomsten (€50,-) hiervoor betaald. En voor KNVI-leden. En voor gasten. Neem contact op via ed@doitogether.nl als je interesse hebt, maar nog geen lid van de club bent.
NL Members + guests; FREE; Pelmolenlaan 2, Woerden (At the Office) 5, Woerden, Netherlands; Dutch BOOK NOW
Myślenie Systemowe jest jedną z tych kluczowych kompetencji, której potrzebujemy do radzenia sobie ze złożonymi wyzwaniami dzisiejszego świata. W ramach popularyzowania oraz adaptowania jej, pojawiło się wiele publikacji i książek w tym temacie. Jednocześnie stworzono wiele metod, podejść, ram, narzędzi. To wszystko sprawia, że ta domena bardzo się rozrosła i obecnie wydaje się być bardzo rozbudowana i złożona. Nasze spotkania zaczynamy od przeglądu naszej wiedzy w tym temacie oraz uspójnienia naszego słownictwa w jęz. polskim.
Published last year by TRL, this robust report “augments the guidance provided by the Government Office for Science by providing an extended palette of systems thinking tools whose use has been demonstrated in the transport sector and transport safety.” The report incorporates an analysis of 91 studies that included the application of ‘systems tools’ across different transport modes. “The key take-away of our investigation is that systems thinking has far more to do with mindset when approaching a problem than the tools that can be used when solving it…..The motivation to use systems thinking is to accelerate cost-effective delivery and maximise the safety benefits as quickly as practicable.” “We recommend more focus on what works for transport safety and, where appropriate, shared learning and application of successes.”
According to the latest provisional statistics released by the UK Department for Transport, Great Britain recorded 1,633 road deaths in 2024, representing a slight increase from 2023 and raising concerns about safety progress, which indicates that preventable fatalities remain a challenge. The deployment of advanced mobility systems, even certified and safety-assessed, is not sufficient to deliver improved safety outcomes, and existing road infrastructure is not sufficiently equipped to prevent severe collisions. Successful application of the “Safe System” approach demands systems thinking in an integrated and holistic manner, encompassing all aspects of road safety. This paper argues that road safety must be managed as a complex socio-technical system where risk evolves dynamically and must be continuously monitored. To address these safety gaps, we propose a systems thinking approach that identifies factors contributing to fatal outcomes and mitigates them. The framework consists of four steps: 1) List stakeholders who influence road safety, 2) Model the interactions between these stakeholders, 3) List assumptions that might be identified as factors for fatalities, and 4) Monitor these assumptions throughout the system lifecycle. The approach is applied to the United Kingdom (UK) road network to demonstrate feasibility. The study provides actionable guidance and new KPIs categories for stakeholders to implement road safety monitoring and eliminate any unreasonable road safety risks.
Subjects:
Physics and Society (physics.soc-ph); Computers and Society (cs.CY); Adaptation and Self-Organizing Systems (nlin.AO)
Dates: 24–26 March 2026
Location: Hull University
Booking: Places are now available – 
Systems Community of Inquiry 
You must be logged in to post a comment.