Systems Science Resource Directory

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Exploring Systems Science: A Guide to Practical Resources and Communities

Introduction:

Systems science offers a holistic framework for understanding and solving complex problems in various domains, from business and management to ecology and social systems. For anyone interested in delving into this interdisciplinary field, a plethora of resources and communities exist to facilitate learning, collaboration, and practical application. In this introductory article, we’ll guide you through a typology of sites and associated organizations, with a focus on those most practical in orientation, to help you navigate the rich landscape of systems science and related sub-disciplines.

1. Online Communities and Forums:

   – Platforms such as Reddit’s r/systemsthinking and LinkedIn Groups like Systems Thinking Network, serve as vibrant hubs for discussions, knowledge sharing, and networking among practitioners, educators, and enthusiasts. These communities offer a mix of practical insights, case studies, and resources curated by members actively engaged in applying systems thinking principles to real-world challenges.

2. Professional Associations and Societies:

   – Organizations like the International Society for Systems Science (ISSS) and the Systems Dynamics Society provide resources, events, and publications geared towards practitioners interested in systems science applications. These associations offer opportunities for professional development, collaboration, and access to practical tools and methodologies used in fields such as system dynamics, systems engineering, and management science.

3. Online Courses and Training:

   – Platforms like Coursera, edX, and Udemy offer a wide range of courses on systems thinking, complexity science, and related topics. These courses, often taught by experts in the field, provide practical insights, case studies, and tools for applying systems concepts to real-world problems. Additionally, organizations like the Systems Leadership Institute and the Complexity Explorer offer specialized training programs and resources for individuals seeking to deepen their understanding of complex systems.

4. Applied Research Centers and Institutes:

   – Research centers such as the Santa Fe Institute (SFI) and the New England Complex Systems Institute (NECSI) conduct interdisciplinary research on complex systems and offer resources, publications, and seminars that bridge the gap between theory and practice. These centers often collaborate with industry partners and government agencies to address real-world challenges using systems approaches, providing valuable insights and methodologies for practitioners seeking practical solutions.

5. Online Platforms and Tools:

   – Websites like Insight Maker, Vensim, and Kumu.io offer user-friendly tools and platforms for modeling, simulation, and visualizing complex systems. These platforms enable practitioners to explore and analyze dynamic relationships within systems, facilitating decision-making and strategy development in various domains such as business, policy, and environmental management.

Conclusion:

Navigating the diverse landscape of systems science resources and communities can be both exciting and overwhelming. By leveraging online communities, professional associations, online courses, research centers, and practical tools, individuals can deepen their understanding of systems thinking and its practical applications across different domains. Whether you’re a business leader, educator, policymaker, or simply a curious learner, the abundance of resources available makes it easier than ever to explore and engage with the rich and dynamic field of systems science.

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Here’s a directory of internet resources for systems thinking and systems science in no particular order:

1. The Systems Thinker

  • Summary: An online publication by the Waters Foundation dedicated to systems thinking concepts, tools, and applications across various domains.
  • Location: United States
  • Web Address: [https://thesystemsthinker.com/]

2. International Society for Systems Sciences (ISSS)

  • Summary: A global organization promoting interdisciplinary research and education in systems thinking and systems science.
  • Location: Global
  • Web Address: [https://www.isss.org/]

3. System Dynamics Society

  • Summary: A professional society advancing the field of system dynamics through research, education, and practice.
  • Location: Global
  • Web Address: [https://www.systemdynamics.org/]

4. Systems Engineering Society of Australia (SESA)

  • Summary: An organization fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange among systems engineering professionals in Australia.
  • Location: Australia
  • Web Address: [https://sesa.org.au/]

5. The Open University – Systems Thinking for Practice

6. MIT System Dynamics Group

7. Complexity Explorer

  • Summary: An online platform offering courses, tutorials, and resources on complex systems science, including network theory, agent-based modeling, and nonlinear dynamics.
  • Location: Global
  • Web Address: [https://www.complexityexplorer.org/]

8. Santa Fe Institute (SFI)

  • Summary: A research institute dedicated to the study of complex systems and interdisciplinary science.
  • Location: United States
  • Web Address: [https://www.santafe.edu/]

9. International Federation for Systems Research (IFSR)

  • Summary: A global network of systems research organizations and individuals advancing systems thinking and practice.
  • Location: Global
  • Web Address: [http://www.ifsr.org/]

10. Systems Innovation

  • Summary: An online platform offering articles, videos, and tools for applying systems thinking to business and organizational management.
  • Location: Global
  • Web Address: [https://systemsinnovation.io/]

11. Bertalanffy Centre for the Study of Systems Science (BCSSS)

  • Summary: An interdisciplinary research organization dedicated to advancing the legacy of Ludwig von Bertalanffy and promoting systems science research and education.
  • Location: Austria
  • Web Address: [https://www.bcsss.org/]

12. Club of Budapest

  • Summary: An international organization founded by Ervin László, dedicated to addressing global challenges and fostering a shift toward a sustainable and harmonious world through systems thinking and consciousness studies.
  • Location: Hungary
  • Web Address: [https://www.clubofbudapest.com//]

13. Systems Thinking World

  • Summary: An online community and resource hub founded by Gene Bellinger, dedicated to promoting systems thinking principles, methodologies, and applications through forums, articles, and collaborative projects.
  • Location: Global
  • Web Address: [https://systemswiki.substack.com//]

14. The Donella Meadows Institute

  • The Donella Meadows Institute serves as a hub for research, education, and action in systems thinking and sustainability, providing valuable resources and initiatives inspired by Donella Meadows’ work. Feel free to include this entry in your Wayfinders Systems Think Tank website directory to highlight the contributions of Donella Meadows to the field of systems thinking.
  • Summary: An organization dedicated to carrying forward the legacy of Donella Meadows, a pioneer in systems thinking and sustainability, by advancing systems-based approaches to address global challenges and foster sustainable development.
  • Location: United States
  • Web Address: [https://www.donellameadows.org/]

15. Sociocybernetics Network

  • The Sociocybernetics Network provides resources, publications, and opportunities for collaboration in the field of sociocybernetics, facilitating interdisciplinary research and dialogue among scholars and practitioners interested in understanding and addressing social phenomena from a cybernetic perspective. Feel free to include this entry in your Wayfinders Systems Think Tank website directory to showcase the intersection of cybernetics and sociology.
  • Summary: An online platform dedicated to the study and application of sociocybernetics, which explores the interactions between social systems and cybernetic principles, focusing on feedback loops, self-organization, and systemic dynamics in social contexts.
  • Location: Global
  • Web Address: [http://www.sociocybernetics.org/]

16. The International Federation of Systems Research (IFSR)

  • Summary: An international organization promoting systems research and collaboration among researchers, educators, and practitioners in various disciplines.
  • Location: Global
  • Web Address: [https://www.ifsr.org/]

17. Systems Innovation

  • Summary: A platform offering resources, tools, and courses for applying systems thinking to business, management, and organizational development.
  • Location: Global
  • Web Address: [https://systemsinnovation.io/]

18. Systemic Business Community (SBC)

  • Summary: An online community and resource hub focused on systemic approaches to business and management, providing articles, forums, and events for professionals interested in systems thinking.
  • Location: Global
  • Web Address: [https://www.systemicbusiness.org/]

19. The Co-Laboratory for Research in Systems Theory (Co-Lab)

  • Summary: A research lab dedicated to advancing systems theory and practice through collaborative research projects, publications, and educational initiatives.
  • Location: United States
  • Web Address: [https://colab.mit.edu/]

20. Complex Systems Society

  • Summary: An international society promoting the study of complex systems science, offering conferences, publications, and resources for researchers and practitioners interested in complexity theory.
  • Location: Global
  • Web Address: [https://www.cssociety.org/home/]

21. The Resilience Alliance

  • Summary: An international research network studying resilience in social-ecological systems, providing publications, tools, and case studies for understanding and managing resilience in complex systems.
  • Location: Global
  • Web Address: [https://www.resalliance.org/]

22. The Systems Science and Engineering Department at Binghamton University

  • Summary: An academic department offering research, education, and training in systems science and engineering, with a focus on interdisciplinary approaches to complex systems analysis and design.
  • Location: United States
  • Web Address: [https://www.binghamton.edu/ssie/index.html/]

23. The International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE)

  • Summary: An international organization promoting systems engineering principles and practices, offering certification, publications, and events for systems engineers and practitioners.
  • Location: Global
  • Web Address: [https://www.incose.org/]

24. The Japan Society for Software Science and Technology (JSSST)

  • Summary: An academic society promoting research and education in software science and technology, with a focus on systems thinking approaches to software engineering.
  • Location: Japan
  • Web Address: [https://www.jssst.or.jp/]

25. The Systems Engineering Society of China (SESC)

  • Summary: A professional society advancing systems engineering principles and practices in China, organizing conferences, training programs, and publications for systems engineers and practitioners.
  • Location: China
  • Web Address: [http://www.sesc.org.cn/]

26. The Asian Federation of Systems Science and Engineering (AFSSE)

  • Summary: A regional federation promoting collaboration and knowledge exchange among systems science and engineering organizations in Asia, fostering interdisciplinary research and education initiatives.
  • Location: Asia
  • Web Address: [https://afsse.org/]

27. The Indian Society for Systems Science and Engineering (ISSSE)

  • Summary: An organization promoting systems science and engineering education and research in India, offering conferences, workshops, and publications for systems professionals and academics.
  • Location: India
  • Web Address: [https://www.sysi.org//]

28. Systems Design Engineering

  • Summary: The Systems Design Engineering department at the University of Waterloo offers undergraduate and graduate programs focusing on systems thinking, design methodology, and interdisciplinary problem-solving, with applications in engineering, healthcare, and sustainable development.
  • Location: University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario
  • Website: https://uwaterloo.ca/systems-design-engineering

29. The Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences (INFORMS)

  • Summary: An international association dedicated to advancing operations research and management science research and practice, offering publications, conferences, and resources for practitioners and academics.
  • Location: Global
  • Web Address: [https://www.informs.org/]

30. The Center for Complex Systems Studies (CCSS) at Utrecht University

31. The Game Theory Society (GTS)

  • Summary: An international organization promoting research and education in game theory and its applications, organizing conferences, workshops, and publications for scholars and practitioners.
  • Location: Global
  • Web Address: [https://gametheorysociety.org/]

32. The Complexity Science Hub Vienna

  • Summary: A research center focused on complexity science, including chaos theory, offering interdisciplinary research projects, workshops, and educational programs.
  • Location: Austria
  • Web Address: [https://www.csh.ac.at/]

34. The New England Complex Systems Institute (NECSI)

  • Summary: An independent research institute dedicated to the study of complex systems and complex adaptive systems, offering research papers, courses, and workshops.
  • Location: United States
  • Web Address: [https://necsi.edu/]

35. The Decision Analysis Society (DAS)

  • Summary: A professional society promoting the use of decision analysis in research and practice, offering conferences, publications, and resources for decision analysts and practitioners.
  • Location: Global
  • Web Address: [https://www.informs.org/Community/DAS]

36. The Game Theory Laboratory at Stanford University

37. American Society for Cybernetics (ASC)

  • Summary: The American Society for Cybernetics is a professional organization dedicated to advancing the understanding of cybernetics and its applications in various fields.
  • Location: United States
  • Website: [http://www.asc-cybernetics.org/]

38. The Principia Cybernetica Web

  • Summary: The Principia Cybernetica Web is an online resource dedicated to the study of cybernetics, systems theory, and related topics, offering a wealth of articles, papers, and discussions.
  • Location: Global
  • Website: [http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/]

39. Cybernetics Society

  • Summary: The Cybernetics Society is a UK-based organization promoting the advancement of cybernetics and its interdisciplinary applications through conferences, publications, and events.
  • Location: United Kingdom
  • Website: [http://www.cybsoc.org/]

40. International Society for the Systems Sciences (ISSS)

  • Summary: The International Society for the Systems Sciences is an interdisciplinary organization that promotes the development and application of systems thinking, cybernetics, and complexity science.
  • Location: Global
  • Website: [https://www.isss.org/]

41. Complexity Labs

  • Summary: Complexity Labs is an online platform offering educational resources, articles, and courses on cybernetics, complexity science, and systems theory.
  • Location: Global
  • Website: [https://complexitylabs.io/]

42. Cybernetics and Systems Analysis

  • Summary: Cybernetics and Systems Analysis is a journal covering various aspects of cybernetics, systems analysis, and control theory.
  • Location: Global
  • Website: [https://www.springer.com/journal/10559]

43. The Cybernetics Society

  • Summary: The Cybernetics Society is a UK-based organization promoting the advancement of cybernetics and its interdisciplinary applications through conferences, publications, and events.
  • Location: United Kingdom
  • Website: [http://www.cybsoc.org/]

These resources offer diverse perspectives, research articles, journals, and educational materials on cybernetics, providing valuable insights and knowledge for individuals interested in exploring this interdisciplinary field.

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