Systems Thinking

The Systems Thinking Special Interest Group (ST-SIG) is for Systems/OR practitioners who are using, or want to learn about, systems theories, methodologies and methods to prevent or address highly complex organizational, social and environmental problems.

We have an inclusive understanding of systems thinking, and value contributions from all the theoretical and methodological traditions using that term.

We also welcome insights from the closely-related fields of cybernetics, systems science and complexity.

The SIG has a broad aim of fostering interest in, and increasing knowledge of, systems thinking. We provide a forum for practitioners to share their experiences and learn from one another, and also to support academics in their applied research and teaching.

We are particularly keen to enable collaborations between practitioners and academics, in the belief that significant, synergistic innovations can arise from open-minded learning between people working in different contexts.

We aim to host quarterly sessions with guest speakers, and the production of a newsletter is under discussion.

We will also continue to host the Systems Thinking stream at the annual conference of the OR Society.

For several years, this has been the largest stream at the conference, with 60+ paper presentations and thriving dialogue and debate.

As this is a new SIG, we are still developing what we want to offer the Systems/OR community, and we welcome ideas for things that you yourself would like to organize (preferably online, as the membership is geographically dispersed).

Feel free to contact our Chair, Matt Lloyd [email protected] with proposals.

Please join us and contribute to the growing community of systems thinkers who are building the necessary capabilities to make our organizations, communities and ecosystems better places to live for current and future generations.

Future Events

From Luhmannian Thought to Management Tools: Social Systems Theory Makes a Difference in Practice

02 June 2026 | The Business School University of Hull and Online | 10:00 - 12:00

Join this joint webinar from the Centre for Systems Studies and the Operational Research Society’s Systems Thinking SIG with Steffen Roth, Full Professor of Management at Excelia Business School and Visiting Fellow at Wolfson College, exploring how Niklas Luhmann’s social systems theory can be applied in organisational diagnosis, consulting, and strategic reflection. The session will also introduce the Wolfson Tool Factory, an initiative bringing together theorists and consultants to develop practical, theory-based management tools, drawing on Steffen’s internationally recognised research and editorial work across management, systems thinking, and organisational studies.

Book Here

ORS Annual Conference OR68: From Data to Decisions

8–10 September 2026
University of Nottingham, United Kingdom

For those working with systems thinking, OR68 offers a space to explore how interconnected parts, feedback, and context shape outcomes over time. The conference brings together practitioners and researchers to share approaches that help make sense of complexity, anticipate unintended consequences, and support more coherent decisions across organisations and sectors.

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Celebrating a 100 Years of Stafford Beer

25 September 2026 | Online | 12:00 - 13:00

Join this webinar with Angela Espinosa celebrating the 100th birthday of Stafford Beer and exploring his lasting contributions to management, operational research, and organisational cybernetics. More than fifty years after the development of the Viable System Model and Team Syntegrity, the session will examine why Beer’s work remains highly relevant for addressing today’s challenges around complexity, governance, sustainability, and technological disruption, drawing on Angela’s decades of research, practice, and international leadership in cybernetics and complexity management.

Book Here

Committee Details

Systems Thinking – Creating the conditions for change: a participatory cybernetic framework

Our recent Special Interest Group meeting examined how engaging the entire workforce in organisational change can create the conditions for lasting transformation.

Dr Ann Mulhaney, Associate Professor for Change Management at the Centre for Sustainable Innovation, University of Salford, shared a participatory cybernetic framework developed through action research. The session explored how managerial cybernetics and creativity techniques can be applied to involve stakeholders in both the design and implementation of change, fostering coordination, engagement, and long-term organisational success in today’s complex environment.