Systemic design blog
The RSDsymposium.org blog covers RSD events, publication updates and information for authors, news from the Systemic Design Association, and contributions from a global community of systemic design contributors. The Systemic Design Hub brings these together with lightly curated highlights from an expansive network of systemic design and adjacent initiatives in a weekly email update.
You can subscribe to the Hub mailing list to This week in systemic design every Monday in your inbox. Subscribe now.
If you’re looking for something specific, need assistance with your search, are looking for videos, or spot any issues that need attention, please contact rsdeditors@rsdsymposium.org.
Yes, You Can. A reflection from a new systemic designer
If you’re new to systemic design and wondering whether you can contribute to RSD14, the answer is simple: Yes, you can.
RSD14: Who we are
Meet the team. Every RSD is supported by a host university and dynamic group of systemic designers. Lesley-Ann Noel holds the Honorary Dean’s Chair, and Peter Hayward Jones and Greg Van Alstyne are the RSD14 Co-Chairs.
Why Arcs of Impact?
Given the importance of relations in systems, RSD14 seeks to explore relationality in complexity.
Pluriversal Arcs of Impact
Inspired by OCADU’s mandate to decolonide curriculum and embrace Indigenous learning outcomes, Lesley-Ann Noel embraces a pluriversal leadership style grounded in equitable power redistribution.
The RSD Movement | Moment
After 15 years of growth, RSD shows the energy and innovation of a movement. Photo: Inside a class at the Ontario College of Art, 1931.
Be Seen: ISSNs, ISBNs, DOIs, and CITES
Progress with indexing, DOIs, ISSNs, and strategies for increasing visibility and accessibility of contributions.
Case for Support: Sponsoring RSD14
Partner in the spirit of shared value, aligning your organisational objectives with systemic design principles of positive human and non-human outcomes, inter- and transdisciplinary collaboration, and flourishing as living with care and attention to the complexity of our natural world.
Annual Mike Jackson Lecture with John Seddon: Systems Thinking, Regulation and Public-sector Productivity
The annual Mike Jackson Lecture will take place on April 10, 2025 with a presentation from John Seddon on rethinking regulation.
Design Forge Invitation
Announcing the Design Forge (online) Book Club Series and Design Forge 2025 (March 25–28).
Editorial: Contexts of Design Research, Clarifying Complexity
Peter Jones (Contexts—The Systemic Design Journal)
RSD13-RSDX Focus Areas
Each RSDX day followed a current created by community-led contributions: emergence of systemic design, cybernetics & #NewMacy, practice, methods & flourishing, and systems thinking
10-14/15/19/21 ONLINE WORKSHOPS
RSD13-ONLINE workshop schedule
10-16/17/18 PAPERS & TALKS
RSD13 peer-reviewed research papers and reports
What to Expect at RSD13-RSDX: Navigating the online symposium experience
Notes on the online experience
A Fond Farewell and Gratitude
Silvia Barbero reflects on her tenure as SDA’s first Chair, celebrating milestones such as RSD symposiums, the Contexts journal, and updated statutes. As Founding Chair, she remains dedicated to supporting SDA’s flourishing future.
Designing Resilient Regenerative Systems
The ETH Zürich Master of Advanced Studies (MAS) in Designing Resilient Regenerative Systems, the introduction of a Certificate in Advanced Studies in Systemic Design, and its inclusion in the ETH MAS represents a milestone for systemic design.
What is SDA Norway?
SDA Norway is a network for practitioners, researchers, and educators.
Welcome to Oslo: A few ideas if you are visiting
Some ideas from the organisers
What to Expect: RSD13-Nordmarka Forest
An invitation and description of the RSD Nordmarka Experience.
2024: Two extraordinary general assemblies
Two extraordinary general assemblies to review and vote on proposed changes to the association’s statutes and vote on the SDA board.
RSD13-TICKETS explained
RSD13 has three ticket levels: RSD13-ONLINE, RSD13+OSLO, and RSD13++Oslo & Nordmarka Forest. Each one adds an experience to the one before it.
RSD12 Acknowledgements
RSD12
RSD13 Acknowledgements
October 2024 | Oslo School of Architecture and Design
Evolving Contexts—The Systemic Design Journal comes of age
Peter Hayward Jones (Contexts—The Systemic Design Journal)
Systemic Design Master Classes: Session 2
Harold Nelson’s Advanced Systemic Design Master Classes are self-guided lessons, each just under 40 minutes long and affordably priced. This is the runway for a systemic design flight school featuring a range of scholar-practitioners in systemic design.
RSD13 Call for Reviewers
The peer-review period starts as soon as submissions are complete—no later than April 30—and runs until June 30. Please take a few moments to indicate your availability on the reviewer acceptance form.
Systemic Design Conversations about Reviewing
Ryan Murphy hosts Ray Ison, Peter Jones, Houda Khayame, Wendy Ross, Ruth Schmidt, and Katelyn Stenger
Membership income & budgeting
Reporting on financial information and membership contributions.
What’s the difference between synthesis maps and gigamaps?
Gigamaps and synthesis maps result in rich images that visualise complex system problems and can be used as design artefacts across domains. What’s the difference?
Rounding up the maps and exhibits
Cheryl May
Contexts Volume 2: Call for Papers
The SDA’s Contexts is a continuous publishing journal, and we review and print submissions as they are received.
Advanced Systemic Design Master Classes
Join Harold Nelson for the discovery of what systemic design is and can be with this series of self-guided early-release master classes.
SDA General Assembly 2023 Introductory Remarks: Systemic design is a community of individuals
Silvia Barbero
What and Why: Systemic design and entanglements
Evan Barba
Roundtable on mapping
Evan Barba, Jotte de Koning, Peter Jones, Praveen Nahar, Lorraine Randell, Birger Sevaldson, Mauri Suoheimo, and Sahil Thappa
Mapping Mondays
RSDX studios