We consider the peer-review process as a complex system that appears to defy predictive modelling. Noisy and inconsistent reviewer judgments create a well-documented “black box” problem for applicants, as wide variability in human evaluation makes it difficult for researchers to preemptively identify the weaknesses—both real and perceived—that might reduce an application’s competitiveness. Assuming that the peer review process to be a highly permeable, abstruse and unpredictable system, we explore the potential efficacy of intervention strategies. We investigate the potential of leveraging LLMs to “simulate” potential reviewer critiques and hypothesize that exposing applicants to a comprehensive analysis of potential application critiques ahead of submission might mitigate some of the effects of weak inter-rater reliability.
Monday, March 17th, 2025, 3 – 4:30 p.m. ET | University of Waterloo | DC 1302 (or virtual)
Long text but still can’t find a way to sign up – maybe eail them css@hull.ac.uk
CSS NewsletterFebruary 2025 Issue – Systems Prospects
Welcome from the Editors Dear ReadersWe take great pleasure to welcome you to the first edition of Systems Prospects for 2025.Systems thinking has become indispensable for navigating the complexities of global uncertainties. The interconnectedness of economies, supply chains, and geopolitical dynamics means that isolated decisions in one region can have cascading effects worldwide. The ongoing energy crisis, inflation, and climate change require solutions that address root causes rather than symptoms, emphasising the need for collaborative, cross-border strategies. Prudence is critical in this context, as hasty or reactive policies can exacerbate instability. Equally important is justice, as systemic inequities must be addressed to ensure sustainable progress.The consideration of regulatory efficiency and effectiveness are crucial in navigating the realities that we encounter. With such considerations in mind, this year’s annual Mike Jackson Lecture will host John Seddon who will speak on rethinking regulation on 7th April 2025. Seddon has received numerous academic awards for his contribution to management science. He won the first McKinsey/HBR Management Innovation Prize for ‘Reinventing Leadership’ in 2010. Our Director, Roberto Palacios Rodrigues, delves more into the subject in this newsletter. For this edition, the thought piece is a review of Rajneesh Chowdhury’s book, Holistic Flexibility for Systems Thinking and Practice, where Rajneesh presents an evolved version of Holistic Flexibility, a conceptual lens that he introduced in 2019 to give systems thinking a cognitive character. The CSS Student Community contribution is by Louise Morton, an early career researcher. Morton’s research explores the use of Digital Agricultural Technology (DAT) to sustainably manage crops and soil carbon. In summary, Morton posits the question: Could a Socio-Ecological-Technical (SET) approach be useful for rural systems too? Finally, we will share a list of exciting events from the Centre and the systems world. If you would like to share any news items or events for inclusion in future newsletters, please contact either Matt Lloyd (m.lloyd-2021@hull.ac.uk) or Rajneesh Chowdhury (Rajneesh.Chowdhury@hull.ac.uk). Happy reading!Warm regardsMatt and RajMatt Lloyd – m.lloyd-2021@hull.ac.uk Rajneesh Chowdhury – Rajneesh.Chowdhury@hull.ac.uk
A Note from the Director of the Centre for Systems Studies The new year is bringing along a number of important projects for the CSS. We have a line of fantastic webinars throughout the year. A systems thinking stream will be part of this year OR Society Conference in Leeds, the Mike Jackson lecture has been confirmed and a number of different collaboration links with different system practitioners and community-based enterprises are taking shape.We have received the invitation from Prof Frank Stowell for contributions to a special issue of Systems Practice and Action Research journal dedicated to the work of Peter Checkland and the Soft Systems Methodology on the 50th anniversary of SSM.As systems thinking ideas are gaining popularity among decision makers in the public sphere, we are working on making sure the systemic principles and ideas take root within the public service and help produce the sort of benefits they are intended to produce in order to enlighten the process of an improved understanding of the many challenges society and organisations face.It goes without saying that we at the CSS are looking forward to engaging with as many of you on projects associated with the development, dissemination, and use of systems thinking. So, please do feel free to contact us with any idea to advance systemic thinking.Roberto Palacios RodriguezR.Palacios-Rodriguez@hull.ac.uk
A Thought Piece from the CSS communityHolistic Flexibility for Systems Thinking and PracticeMy book, Holistic Flexibility for Systems Thinking and Practice, was published last year by Routledge under the Systems Thinking book series, edited by Professor Gerald Midgley. In this book, I present an evolved version of Holistic Flexibility, a conceptual lens that I introduced in 2019 to give systems thinking a cognitive character.The five principles of Holistic Flexibility are as follows:System as becoming suggests a dynamic approach based on the negotiation of boundaries, appreciation of interrelationships and cognizance of emergence.Transformative flexibility based on the trilogy of flexibility in cognition, formulation and substantiation.Responsible practice aimed at addressing problems holistically, meaningfully and sustainably touching both human and non-human dimensions.Spiral of learning embraces single-, double- and triple-loop learning to enhance efficiency, effectiveness and value-centricity, respectively.Pragmatic artistry embraces pragmatism as necessary in dynamic situations and artistry, requiring understanding, elegance and poise.My latest book covers theories and selected case studies that have been developed through my research and practice in Holistic Flexibility. In my research journey, I typically adopted one of the three approaches as listed:Concept development: Concept development has been central to my work. Concepts contribute to direct one’s thoughts and understanding and in grasping complex ideas, and thereby they play an important role in cognition (Carey, 1991). I have relied on an interpretive model (Branch and Rocchi, 2015) of concept development through the collection and analysis of qualitative data – both primary and secondary. The concepts that I have presented, predominantly draw from the case studies that I have discussed in this and my previous book.Case study: The case studies narrate my experience of iterative problem- structuring and problem- solving. My own involvement in the projects, covered in the cases, helped me understand complex social and organizational dynamics in real- life situations and narrate them from a personal perspective. The style in which the case studies are written align with, what Ormerod (2014) would call, “mangle of OR practice” touching upon the dynamic intertwining of material, human and cultural factors leading to personal and experience- based insights.Action research: The case studies presented highlight an action research approach, where the distinction between research and action is overcome (Coghlan and Brannick, 2005). I adopted the nature of what Schön (1983, 1987) calls, a “reflective practitioner” capturing the characteristics of both knowing- in- action and reflection- in- action as a continual process. Action research led me to engage closely with stakeholders that enabled me to understand and document organizational/ social realities and sensitivities.I open the book by setting the context to the discussions presented. I talk about the journey of systems thinking and establish a position for Holistic Flexibility as a conceptual lens that pragmatizes the discipline. Holistic Flexibility takes systems thinking beyond methodologies, frameworks, and prescriptions to pragmatize systems practice. I go on to present a selection of case studies, from my first-hand experience, that demonstrates Holistic Flexibility in practice. The case studies highlight the creative and flexible application of frameworks and methodologies towards achieving systemic outcomes. The discussions help in building towards my argument that systems thinking can be regarded as a cognitive skill. The first three case studies demonstrate the evident application of systems methodologies. This is followed by three other case studies, where I argue for systems thinking to be considered a cognitive skill that does not need be methodology dependent. To demonstrate my argument, I present interventions that were influenced by a systemic mindset and where no systems methodologies are deployed. In the final part of my book, I present a critique of contemporary systems thinking and argue for the necessity of a possible future direction for systems research under the banner of what, I call, conscious systemic leadership (CSL). I highlight a set of research questions that emerge as a result of my auto- critique of the arguments that I have presented in this book.Holistic Flexibility can serve as an inspiration for practitioners to thread disparate strands with analysis and logic and yet transcend the same through lateral thinking and relationality. However, this will not be easy as practitioners are susceptible to the dominant worldviews that pressurize them to think and act with a reductionist and isolationist mindset. Considering the five principles of Holistic Flexibility for systems thinking as a cognitive skill, ten behaviors have been deciphered as a guidance for practitioners. A note on the impeding challenges that practitioners are most likely to face in this journey and how these can be overcome are also provided.Through my discussions, I have argued that the conceptual lens of Holistic Flexibility helps to deploy systems thinking as a cognitive skill, thereby pragmatizing the discipline. Drawing from the influence of the works of Alexander Bogdanov, Charles Sanders Pierce, William James, and John Dewey, among others, Jackson (2023) argues that systems thinking is founded on pragmatist thinking. Holistic Flexibility seeks to catalyze such conversations that argue for a pragmatic stance in systems thinking.I welcome systems thinkers and practitioners to read my book and engage with the possibilities of further research that I have articulated in the last chapter. New perspectives and advancements are particularly important at a time when we see a growing popularity of systems thinking.Rajneesh Chowdhury Rajneesh.Chowdhury@hull.ac.ukReferencesBranch, J. and Rocchi, F. (2015). Concept development: A primer. Philosophy of Management, 14(2), pp. 111– 133. https:// doi.org/ 10.1007/ s40 926- 015- 0011- 9Carey, S. (1991). Knowledge acquisition: Enrichment or conceptual change? In: Carey, S. and Gelman, R. (Eds.) The Epigenesis of Mind: Essays on Biology and Cognition, pp. 257– 291. London and New York: Routledge.Chowdhury, R. (2024). Holistic Flexibility for Systems Thinking and Practice. London and New York: Routledge.Coghlan, D. and Brannick, T. (2005). Doing Action Research in Your Own Organization. London: Sage.Jackson, M. C. (2023). Pragmatism and critical systems thinking: Back to the future of systems thinking. Integration and Implementation Insights. https:// i2i nsig hts.org/ 2023/ 04/ 04/ pra gmat ism- and- criti cal- syst ems- think ing/ amp/ [accessed 10 May 2023]Ormerod, R. J. (2014). The mangle of OR practice: Towards more informative case studies of ‘technical’ projects. Journal of the Operations Research Society, 65(8), pp. 1245– 1260. https:// doi.org/ 10.1057/ jors.2013.78Schön, D. A. (1983). The Reflective Practitioner. New York: Basic Books.Schön, D. A. (1987). Educating the Reflective Practitioner. Hoboken (NJ): Jossey Bass. https:// doi.org/ 10.1002/ chp.475 0090 207Contribution from the CSS PhD communityStudent Thought Piece: A Social-Ecological-Technical Systems (SETs) approach? I have recently discovered Donella Meadows et al. (2004) and her book ‘Limits to Growth – the 30-year update’. As I am sure you will all know, the authors talk about the interconnectedness of social, ecological, and technological systems and how dynamic interaction influences global development, sustainability, and planetary limits. I thoroughly enjoyed discovering about the Gaia principles of James Lovelock in my undergrad work therefore the writing of Meadows et al. (2004) resonates with my thinking that Earth should, by and large, be considered a single living organism with multiple interacting and interconnected systems. Indeed, many systems researchers have evidenced this holistic approach in their own work (Rockström et al., 2009; Jackson, 2019).I am an early career researcher, and my research explores the use of Digital Agricultural Technology (DAT) to sustainably manage crops and soil carbon (University of Hull, 2023). My background is chemical testing, quality management systems and quality auditing but I was given complete autonomy about how to research my topic and quite frankly, like a kid in a sweetshop, I didn’t know where to start. I was drawn to the work of my close friend who was deep into systems thinking, after all, thinking in systems was second nature to me – everything was a system! So, I started to investigate some different approaches. Although my previous life was sat firmly in a positivist paradigm, my research was social science based and very much qualitative analysis in the interpretivist paradigm. Hence, I became very confused; until a lifeline was thrown my way.Someone suggested I should use a socio-technological systems (STS) approach. I thought this was a great idea and with further investigation it seemed to fit well. STS would look at the interactions between the humans and the technologies and the development of that working ‘relationship’ (Ropohl, 1999). As I progressed this line of reasoning, I couldn’t help feeling something was missing – a key component wasn’t considered! The literature review we completed looked at the adoption of DAT’s. It told me that DAT’s were not adopted for several reasons including Technological, Economic, Socio-demographic, political, cultural, and Environmental Factors. And there it was – the environment! An STS approach in my opinion and for my research failed to take the environment into consideration. Not only does the environment being the ‘thing’ that the farmer-DAT system would be working in, but as an interacting ‘thing’ that could assist and, in some cases, resist the interaction of the farmer and their DAT on the land, thereby affecting the desired output. I could only assume that this was the part that was missing for me.Further reading brought me to Social-Ecological-Technical systems (SETs) (Andersson et al., 2024; Barnes et al., 2024) and thence to Donella Meadows et al. (2004) and the interconnectedness of social, ecological, and technological systems. A SETs approach has been used by authors to explore human social and technological system activity and its impact on ecological systems, such as resource depletion, pollution, and biodiversity loss, and how these in turn feedback into social and economic systems. There is an emphasis on the importance of understanding these systems’ feedback loops and unsystematic behaviours to make informed decisions for a sustainable future. An approach like this would fit with my research approach into determining how farmers have implemented DAT’s into their soil management processes (Figure 1), however, as far as I can determine, this approach has mainly been used for urban ecosystem services.In summary, my question for this newsletter is: Could a SETs approach be useful for rural systems too?I welcome any comments and guidance from the CSS community as I explore this further in my PhD research. Please email contact me at:Louise Morton c.l.morton-2021@hull.ac.ukReferencesAndersson, J., Lennerfors, T. T. C Fornstedt, H. (2024) Towards a socio-techno-ecological approach to sustainability transitions. Environmental Innovation and Societal Transitions, 51, 100846. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eist.2024.100846Barnes, M. R., Friell, J., Runck, B. C., Soldat, D. J., Watkins, E. C Yue, C. (2024) Cultivating connections: Framing turfgrass as a thriving social-ecological-technological system. Crop Science. https://doi.org/10.1002/csc2.21387Jackson, M. C. (2019) Critical systems thinking and the management of complexity. John Wiley & Sons.Meadows, D. H., Randers, J. C Meadows, D. L. (2004) Limits to growth: the 30-year update. Translated from English by, 3rd rev., expand and updated edition. Chelsea Green.Rockström, J., Steffen, W., Noone, K., Persson, Å., Chapin III, F. S., Lambin, E., Lenton, T. M., Scheffer, M., Folke, C. C Schellnhuber, H. J. (2009) Planetary boundaries: exploring the safe operating space for humanity. Ecology and society, 14(2).Ropohl, G. (1999) Philosophy of socio-technical systems. Society for Philosophy and Technology Ǫuarterly Electronic Journal, 4(3), 186-194.University of Hull (2023) RESEARCH: Environmental technologies and their implications (ETFS).https://www.hull.ac.uk/work-with-us/research/groups/environmental-technologies-and-foodsystems-etfs
Centre for Systems Studies Related NewsAnnual Mike Jackson Lecture with John Seddon: Systems Thinking, Regulation and Public-sector Productivity The annual Mike Jackson Lecture will take place on the 10th April 2025 with a presentation from John Seddon on rethinking regulation. Following a career developing a unique systems approach to the design and management of service organisations, John argues that our current method of regulation is an impediment to productivity and economic growth. His is not an argument for less regulation, it is an argument for a better method, one that dissolves the many problems created by the current method. Suicides make the news; they are extreme events in a culture of low morale. The morale-sapping regulatory bureaucracy is a product of remote top-down management by politicians and regulators. Worse, the specifications requiring compliance are a block to productivity improvement and innovation, based, as they are, on what is often labelled as New Public Management. John will give practical examples of sub-optimisation resulting from compliance with regulatory specifications and will illustrate the profound productivity and cultural improvements achieved by adopting a systems approach. “It is time to liberate public servants from the prison of suspicion and distrust that our current method of regulation locks them in, demeaning their professionalism and casting them as part of the problem rather than active creators of solutions. To the contrary, the better method of regulation assumes that people are motivated by pride in their work, that they are vocational – they want to serve – and that they are eager and capable of using their ingenuity and initiative to serve that purpose. Their behaviour is a product of the system; it is only by changing the regulatory regime that we can expect a change in behaviour.” John Seddon is an occupational psychologist and author, specialising in the service industry. He is the managing director of Vanguard, a consultancy company he formed in 1985 and the inventor of ‘The Vanguard Method’, the means by which his organisation helps service leaders transform their organisations from conventional command-and-control designs to systems designs, achieving remarkable results. Seddon has received numerous academic awards for his contribution to management science. He won the first McKinsey/HBR Management Innovation Prize for ‘Reinventing Leadership’ in 2010. Seddon’s prominence grew following attacks on conventional management thinking, sometimes referred to as New Public Management, including: the belief in economies of scale, quality standards and much of public sector reform including ‘deliverology’, the use of targets, inspection and centralised control of local services. The Daily Telegraph described him as a “reluctant management guru”. He has published seven books. In his 2008 book, Systems Thinking in the Public Sector, he provided a criticism of the UK Government reform programme, illustrating the reasons for investment not achieving the desired results and providing examples of effective reform. The Whitehall Effect was published in 2014. In it he articulates a more productive role for government in public-sector reform. His most recent book Beyond Command and Control focuses on the ‘how’ of effective change.
Other Systems Related NewsThe Student CSS CommunityWe think our student community is full of systems curious individuals. We hope to provide an environment where the curious can convene and explore their journey through the Systems Thinking literature and practice. If you are a student, apprentice of early career researcher, we would like to welcome you to our community. If you’d like to get involved, please contact the student organisers:Chris – c.n.abbott-2021@hull.ac.ukGemma – gemma.smith-2016@hull.ac.ukJennifer – j.makar-2018@hull.ac.ukMatt – m.lloyd-2021@hull.ac.ukExciting Opportunity to Publish Books on Systems Thinking with RoutledgeGerald Midgley (Centre for Systems Studies, University of Hull) has been running a Systems Thinking book series with Routledge since 2020. At first, they were paperback books aimed at practitioners, priced very reasonably. Then Routledge made a policy decision to stop producing books for practitioners, and they converted the Systems Thinking series into academic monographs: hardback and electronic books priced for purchase by libraries, with the possibility of a paperback after a year if the library version sold well. Now there is some exciting news! Routledge have introduced a new format called “focus books”, which are under 50,000 words, and they will be issued even more cheaply than the original practitioner paperbacks! Opportunities to publish systems books at affordable prices are few and far between. This new development in the Routledge Systems Thinking series is therefore a breakthrough! If you would like to write a book on systems thinking and practice, either in the form of a slim, low-priced paperback for individual purchase, or a more substantial monograph primarily aimed at libraries, please consider the Routledge Systems Thinking series. If you want to discuss an idea for a book, or would like to receive guidelines for writing a book proposal, please contact Gerald Midgley at g.r.midgley@hull.ac.ukEvents in the Systems CommunitySystems Thinking – Systems thinking and complexity – incompatible or what? 26th February 2025, 17:30Join us for the online event exploring Systems Thinking and complexity with our guest speakers Mike Jackson & Jean Boulton.Mike Jackson styles himself a systems thinker and Jean Boulton ‘embraces complexity’. Both have written recent and very different books. On the surface of it, they seem to inhabit different worlds. But do they? How do these differing views complement each other? Are there incompatibilities; or is it more of a question of what you are trying to do?Mike and Jean will introduce their perspectives through their books and discuss similarities, differences and whether it matters.Further information and the link to register can be found hereCreating the conditions for change: a participatory cybernetic frameworkwith Dr Ann Mulhaney24th April 2025, 12:30 Change in organisations is inevitable, especially in challenging economic and technological times. Enabling the entire workforce to engage in change initiatives not only facilitates buy in but also ensures that their specific knowledge and insights create and embed organisational transformation which will enhance long term viability.There is a plethora of change management literature, with numerous models and theories of change, but few explain how to create and embed the conditions for change that enable stakeholder engagement, coordination of initiatives and sustainability of both the change and the management of change within organisations. Managerial cybernetics is the science of effective organisation, but little work had been undertaken to utilise managerial cybernetics in the design of change intervention which both engages those affected and embraces creativity techniques as part of the change framework.Using action research, this presentation describes a framework for cybernetic participatory intervention that engages stakeholders both in the evolving design and the implementation of change. The framework was developed, refined and applied in a series of situations with increasing levels of complexity involving multiple change initiatives, multi companies and cross industry programmes. The framework embeds creativity tools to both engage stakeholders and enhance understanding of the situational context, allowing for new and enhanced opportunities for change to emerge.This will be an in-person event which can be watched via Teams (so as to give a wider audience access to the event). Ann is an associate professor at Salford Business School and was also an undergraduate with me. Her specialism is in organisational transformation change and she was also involved in curating the Stafford Beer Collection at LJMU (including transcribing his recordings). Annual Mike Jackson Lecture. 7th April 2025, Middleton Hall, HullThis year’s Annual Mike Jackson Lecture will be presented by John Seddon. 34th European Conference on Operational Research The UK has a significant history and influence in the field of Operational Research (OR). Originating during World War II, OR was developed in Britain to address complex military logistics and strategy problems. Post-war, it played a pivotal role in decision-making and strategy, helping to solve complex problems through the innovative use of mathematics and science.
EURO 2025 will be packed with insightful presentations, engaging discussions, and opportunities for networking. With a wide array of topics and cutting-edge research, the conference is designed to inspire and challenge attendees, fostering growth and collaboration.
This year there will be a Systems Thinking stream chaired by myself and Gemma Smith and we are keen to attract a wide range of contributions which will showcase the variety and depth of the field as well as the people and programmes involved.
Organised by the OR Society in partnership with Leeds University, the European Conference on Operational Research will be a fantastic event, please feel free to get in touch with either Gemma or myself if you have any questions. To register or to submit an abstract please visit the official website. Call for Abstracts: Systems Thinking Stream, EURO 2025 LeedsWe invite you to submit abstracts for the Systems Thinking (ST) stream at the EURO 2025 conference in Leeds (https://euro2025leeds.uk/). This stream aims to present contributions focused on the development and use of ST at both pragmatic and theoretical levels. We welcome submissions exploring a range of topics related to ST, including, for instance, applications of ST in various domains, methodological developments within the field, and considerations of the benefits and barriers associated with using ST. Contributions can range from practical case studies and implementations to more theoretical explorations of ST concepts and frameworks.We are particularly interested in submissions that demonstrate innovative approaches to ST, explore emerging trends in the field, or address challenges related to the application of ST in complex systems across disciplines. For example, submissions might focus on areas such as:System dynamics modellingSoft systems methodologyCritical systems thinkingSystems thinking in specific domains (e.g., healthcare, environment, business)The role of ST in addressing global challengesIntegrating ST with other methodologiesST applications in public bodiesEvaluating the effectiveness of ST interventionsSubmission Guidelines:Abstracts should be no more than 300 words in length and should clearly outline the research question, methodology, key findings (if applicable), and contribution to the field of ST. Please ensure your abstract is written in UK English and adheres to a accessible tone.Important Dates:Abstract submission closes: 8 March 2025Notification of abstract acceptance: From submission to Sunday 23 March 2025We look forward to receiving your submissions and welcoming you to the Systems Thinking stream at EURO 2025 in Leeds. For any queries, please email the stream chairs. Stream Chairs:Matt Lloyd (m.lloyd-2021@hull.ac.uk)Gemma Smith (Gemma.smith-2016@hull.ac.uk)SCiO Wrangling wicked business problems – Special Development Event Tuesday 18th February 2025, 13:00 – 15:00 GMTThe February event is a ‘special’, with Kim Warren – Systems Dynamics specialist and trainer – attending and participating. Some big challenges for business are viewed as ‘wicked’, because they have no single objective – like “grow our profits 10% next year” – are multi-faceted, involved multiple stake-holders with diverse interests, and have no “right answer”. …Members only; FREE; Online event; English; SCiO UK Face-to-Face Open Meeting (Manchester) Monday 31st March 2025, 10:00 – 16:30 GMTFace-to-Face Open Meeting: A series of presentations of general interest to Systems and Complexity in Organisation’s membership…Fundamentals of System Thinking – Matt LloydMulti-Methodology Approaches in System Thinking – Patrick Hoverstadt – Simon MacCormacOther speakers to be confirmed.All welcome; £30; Manchester Business School, Manchester; English; ISSS Data Variety – The Subtle and the Stark Saturday 15th March 2025The notion of requisite variety, often referred to as Ashby’s law, highlights that only variety in asystem can absorb the variety placed upon it. Demand variety therefore informs the nature and extent of systemic regulation required. This presentation draws from observational, event and system-actor evidence which indicates that data variety is amplifying challenges for policing and justice as core forms of societal regulation. It questions if requisite responses are being provided. Peircean reasoning and combinatorial theory were used to interpret evidence gathered during immersed engaged-scholarship. A Data Requisite Variety Framework (DRVF) was developed to explore digital perturbations within systems of policing and criminal justice. An Evidence Inference Confidence Framework (EICF) was developed to rate research evidence. Data varieties emerge from many intelligence and evidential sources used in policing and security e.g., device forensics are influenced by many factors such as probabilistic algorithmic analyses and varying human interpretations. These dynamic and dissipative systems naturally generate varying truths. The EICF thus offers a prospective means of calibrating evidentiality in legal settings. Impacts: In the stark light of critical and recent miscarriages of justice, a case is made for the subtle complexities of data variety and evidential inference to be explored further. For further information please click here. ISSS Advancing Together – An Invitation for Systemic Collaboration 11th-15th July 2025, Birmingham Leadership Institute, UKThe International Society for System Sciences (ISSS) is pleased to announce its 2025 conference, to be held at the prestigious Birmingham Leadership Institute in the UK. This flagship event will bring together global scholars, practitioners, and thought leaders to explore the theme of Advancing Together: An invitation for Systemic CollaborationIn an era of unprecedented complexity and interconnected challenges, the systems community is uniquely positioned to lead efforts in creating holistic, collaborative solutions. This conference aims to facilitate dialogue and action, fostering the emergence of a cohesive systems science enterprise that integrates diverse perspectives and practices across disciplines.More information can be found here. Call for ContributionsCall for ContributionsAny news items or events for inclusion in future newsletters should be sent to Matt Lloyd (m.lloyd-2021@hull.ac.uk ) and Raj Chowdhury (Rajneesh.Chowdhury@hull.ac.uk). Please note that the purpose of the CSS Newsletter is to share news items and events with the CSS community and to all those with an interest in systems thinking. It is not a journal or a publication which publishes papers or research.DisclaimerThe Centre for Systems Studies, the University of Hull and associated individuals cannot be held responsible for errors or any consequences arising from the use of information contained in this newsletter; the views and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of The Centre for Systems Studies, the University of Hull and associated individuals, neither does the publication of articles constitute any endorsement of the views, opinions or other contents.DisclaimerThe Centre for Systems Studies, the University of Hull and associated individuals cannot be held responsible for errors or any consequences arising from the use of information contained in this newsletter; the views and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of The Centre for Systems Studies, the University of Hull and associated individuals, neither does the publication of articles constitute any endorsement of the views, opinions or other contents.
A series of videos about systems and systems engineering—”the art or science of creating systems,” where a system is “a complex whole, an organized body of material or immaterial things…” Folks often say that they “have taken a systems approach” – but what does that mean, what might be the benefits of taking such an approach, and what does it mean if you do not?
Systems & Systems Engineering—Systems ApproachDerek Hitchins336 subscribersSubscribed14ShareDownloadClipSave2,104 views 9 Dec 2014A series of videos about systems and systems engineering—”the art or science of creating systems,” where a system is “a complex whole, an organized body of material or immaterial things…” Folks often say that they “have taken a systems approach” – but what does that mean, what might be the benefits of taking such an approach, and what does it mean if you do not?
This event will provide a space for discussion on the development of systems thinking as a movement. During the event, we will hear from a number of speakers about the past, present, and future of systems thinking and how we are progressing on the advent of this set of ideas that hold such potential. In the second half of the 90-minute event, we will engage in a workshop exploring where the opportunities are going forward and how we might collaborate in realizing the potential of this paradigm. The event, hosted by the Si London Hub team, is the first in a series that hopes to provide the space needed for different organizations and individuals working in and around systems thinking to find ways to advance the practice. Discussion topics A little history of where systems thinking has come from. Where are we today with the advent of systems thinking? What are the opportunities and challenges going forward? Speakers Gary Smith – President of the International Society for the System Sciences, Senior Expert Systems Engineer Airbus Group Louis Klein – Secretary General of the International Federation for Systems Research (IFSR) Linda Booth Sweeney – Systems thinking and Complexity Coach, Scholar, Children’s Book Author, Founder, Toggle Labs Joss Colchester (host) – Founder of the Systems Innovation Network Mrunali Bhangale (host) – Si London hub team member
Every Saturday, we gather for insightful Mini Symposia Sessions, where we explore systems science, holistic thinking, and global challenges. Don’t miss the opportunity to engage, learn, and contribute to thought-provoking discussions!
📢 Join us live on Zoom:🔗 https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82698131416?pwd=R1hDVGNTWlk2SzVFYUcrTXVmRTlVZz09
🌎 Time Zones:🕔 Honolulu, USA – 05:00 HST 🕖 Los Angeles, USA – 07:00 PST 🕙 New York, USA – 10:00 EST 🕒 London, UK – 15:00 GMT 🕔 Cape Town, SA – 17:00 SAST 🕣 New Delhi, India – 20:30 IST 🕜 Adelaide, Australia – 01:30 ACDT (Sunday)
🔍 Let’s dive into big ideas, systems perspectives, and transformative discussions! Set your reminders and see you this Saturday!
💬 What topics would you like to explore this week? Drop your thoughts below! 👇 #SystemsScience#HolisticThinking#GlobalCollaboration#JoinTheDiscussion 🚀
Excerpt from a conversation at the American Society for Cybernetics conference 1995 in Chicago about Undecidable Questions… Includes comments from Heinz von Foerster, Herbert Brün, Humberto Maturana, Gordon Pask….
…these concerns are only partly assuaged by the well-respected and popular names guest editing and writing in this edition of the journal.
I would really value opinions of readers on the content of this particular special edition.
On a first scan, some of the papers seem intriguing, some seem a little random, and there still feels to me to be something odd about the editing/writing – previously noted in grappling with this journal – which often leaves me wondering if there have been omissions or edits which have made the meaning of sentences and paragraphs unnecessarily hard to grasp. Perhaps it’s just me.
I would also have been doubtful if someone told me Dave Snowden endorsed the concept of *managing* complexity, but anyway…
can more capable minds than mine help me to understand?]
You can access WWF Scotland’s ageing, but still rather fine, Linking Thinking report here. It was written by Stephen Sterling, Paul Maiteny, Deryck Irving and John Salter. Is it for you? Well, the authors say that if you, or your institution or organisation are:
interested in thinking skills but think the debate so far is ‘missing something’
perplexed or overwhelmed by complexity in our lives
interested in developing understanding about how things interrelate
concerned by too much fragmentation and segregation in educational structures, knowledge, or policy making
interested in the sort of thinking skills, values and concepts that might be needed in the transition towards a more sustainable society,
… then it is. Such a pity not enough people took any notice of this the first time around.
Dear ReadersWe take great pleasure to welcome you to the first edition of Systems Prospects for 2025.Systems thinking has become indispensable for navigating the complexities of global uncertainties. The interconnectedness of economies, supply chains, and geopolitical dynamics means that isolated decisions in one region can have cascading effects worldwide. The ongoing energy crisis, inflation, and climate change require solutions that address root causes rather than symptoms, emphasising the need for collaborative, cross-border strategies. Prudence is critical in this context, as hasty or reactive policies can exacerbate instability. Equally important is justice, as systemic inequities must be addressed to ensure sustainable progress.The consideration of regulatory efficiency and effectiveness are crucial in navigating the realities that we encounter. With such considerations in mind, this year’s annual Mike Jackson Lecture will host John Seddon who will speak on rethinking regulation on 7th April 2025. Seddon has received numerous academic awards for his contribution to management science. He won the first McKinsey/HBR Management Innovation Prize for ‘Reinventing Leadership’ in 2010. Our Director, Roberto Palacios Rodrigues, delves more into the subject in this newsletter. For this edition, the thought piece is a review of Rajneesh Chowdhury’s book, Holistic Flexibility for Systems Thinking and Practice, where Rajneesh presents an evolved version of Holistic Flexibility, a conceptual lens that he introduced in 2019 to give systems thinking a cognitive character. The CSS Student Community contribution is by Louise Morton, an early career researcher. Morton’s research explores the use of Digital Agricultural Technology (DAT) to sustainably manage crops and soil carbon. In summary, Morton posits the question: Could a Socio-Ecological-Technical (SET) approach be useful for rural systems too? Finally, we will share a list of exciting events from the Centre and the systems world. If you would like to share any news items or events for inclusion in future newsletters, please contact either Matt Lloyd (m.lloyd-2021@hull.ac.uk) or Rajneesh Chowdhury (Rajneesh.Chowdhury@hull.ac.uk). Happy reading!Warm regardsMatt and RajMatt Lloyd – m.lloyd-2021@hull.ac.uk
The new year is bringing along a number of important projects for the CSS. We have a line of fantastic webinars throughout the year. A systems thinking stream will be part of this year OR Society Conference in Leeds, the Mike Jackson lecture has been confirmed and a number of different collaboration links with different system practitioners and community-based enterprises are taking shape.We have received the invitation from Prof Frank Stowell for contributions to a special issue of Systems Practice and Action Research journal dedicated to the work of Peter Checkland and the Soft Systems Methodology on the 50th anniversary of SSM.As systems thinking ideas are gaining popularity among decision makers in the public sphere, we are working on making sure the systemic principles and ideas take root within the public service and help produce the sort of benefits they are intended to produce in order to enlighten the process of an improved understanding of the many challenges society and organisations face.It goes without saying that we at the CSS are looking forward to engaging with as many of you on projects associated with the development, dissemination, and use of systems thinking. So, please do feel free to contact us with any idea to advance systemic thinking.Roberto Palacios RodriguezR.Palacios-Rodriguez@hull.ac.uk
ReferencesAndersson, J., Lennerfors, T. T. C Fornstedt, H. (2024) Towards a socio-techno-ecological approach to sustainability transitions. Environmental Innovation and Societal Transitions, 51, 100846. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eist.2024.100846Barnes, M. R., Friell, J., Runck, B. C., Soldat, D. J., Watkins, E. C Yue, C. (2024) Cultivating connections: Framing turfgrass as a thriving social-ecological-technological system. Crop Science. https://doi.org/10.1002/csc2.21387Jackson, M. C. (2019) Critical systems thinking and the management of complexity. John Wiley & Sons.Meadows, D. H., Randers, J. C Meadows, D. L. (2004) Limits to growth: the 30-year update. Translated from English by, 3rd rev., expand and updated edition. Chelsea Green.Rockström, J., Steffen, W., Noone, K., Persson, Å., Chapin III, F. S., Lambin, E., Lenton, T. M., Scheffer, M., Folke, C. C Schellnhuber, H. J. (2009) Planetary boundaries: exploring the safe operating space for humanity. Ecology and society, 14(2).Ropohl, G. (1999) Philosophy of socio-technical systems. Society for Philosophy and Technology Ǫuarterly Electronic Journal, 4(3), 186-194.University of Hull (2023) RESEARCH: Environmental technologies and their implications (ETFS).https://www.hull.ac.uk/work-with-us/research/groups/environmental-technologies-and-foodsystems-etfs 
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