Group interestsMembers of the Open Systems Research Group are
interested in applying and developing systems thinking and practice to the study of complex, interconnected situations. Our research focuses on the themes of:
Our research has application in a wide range of complex situations where it is difficult to act because of uncertainty such as managing natural resources and climate change.
A systems approach is about developing a more systemic understanding of the situation and avoiding unintended consequences.
We use a range of approaches including soft systems methodology, critical systems, scenario analysis, and diagramming. Key concepts include social learning, communities of practice, sustainability indicators and participation. We welcome inquiries from students interested in postgraduate research opportunities with members of OSRG.
OSRG Seminar Series
OSRG run a series of seminar events exploring current issues in our research and across disciplines. All are welcome to attend. Follow the link to find out about the current series: OSRG Seminars
News and eventsJan 11 Kevin Collins secures a grant from DEFRA (Dept of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) to work on Knowledge Exchange for managing catchments in England and Wales.
Jan 11 Kevin Collins gave an invited presentation on the roles and challenges of social learning approaches for natural resource managing to the SPICOSA research consortia, London.
Oct 10 Kevin Collins gave a keynote paper thinking about integrated water managing at the CIWEM conference on integrated water management.
Oct 10 Kevin Collins gave two presentations on strengthening research capacity of China and South Africa (SA) in sustainable water resources management with UK and Australian experiences to the Environmental Services for Poverty Alleviation Symposia, Edinburgh.
Sep 10 Kevin Collins gave a presentation on Making sense of the Water Framework Directive Country Reports on Participation. Public participation to the Water Framework Directive symposia, University of Leuphania, Germany. May 10 Martin Reynolds secures a two-part International Fellowship Award for Samuel Njenga from the University of KwaZulu-Natal to visit the OU in Autumn of 2010 and Spring of 2011 as part of a wider OSRG initiative in supporting local governance in sub-Saharan Africa
May 10 A paper written by Kevin Collins and Ray Ison of OSRG is in the top 15 downloads from ORO: the Open University's on-line open access research database. Full reference: Collins, Kevin and Ison, Raymond (2006). Dare we jump off Arnstein's ladder? Social learning as a new policy paradigm. In: Proceedings of PATH (Participatory Approaches in Science & Technology) Conference, 4-7 June 2006.
Mar 10 - Social learning Symposium. Members of OSRG met with others at the OU with an interest in, and different perspectives on, social learning. This is a growing area of interest to researchers and designers from multiple fields, including environment, education, governance, technology and ICT. We spent time making sense of social learning from our different research and teaching contexts. Presentations and discussion at: http://cloudworks.ac.uk/cloudscape/view/2034
Nov 09 - Chris Blackmore has successfully defended her PhD: 'Learning systems and communities of practice for environmental decision making.'
Nov 09 - Kevin Collins, Ray Ison and Monica Shelley have guest edited a special issue of Environmental Policy and Governance entitled Living with Environmental Change: Social Learning as Adaptation. Publication November 2009.
Sept 09 - Ray Ison and Kevin Collins have recently returned from South Africa in relation to their invovlement in the Environmental Services and Poverty Alleviation (ESPA) for strengthening research capacity in China and South Africa.
May 09 - Ray Ison and Kevin Collins have recently returned from China in relation to their invovlement in the Environmental Services and Poverty Alleviation (ESPA) for strengthening research capacity in China and South Africa.
Feb 09 - Kevin Collins and Ray Ison have been designing and facilitating a series of learning workshops for Creating Water Sensitive Cities in Australia. Some 500 water professionals from across the state capitals attended the workshops to explore new ways of thinking and working towards more sustainable cities. This work is being led by the University of Monash and the International Water Centre, Brisbane.
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