Damian Chapman
Conversation partner: Mark Sullivan
Presented as conversation studio on October 12 as part of RSD14-Ecologies of Knowing and during RSD14-Paper Talks, October 8–10, 2025.
This session aims to gather participants’ insights into systems design at the intersection of organisational theory and cybernetics by surfacing interrelationships between the three concept fields and identifying emerging themes that inform meaning and potential gaps in organisational approaches that can expedite innovation in the energy transition. Based on a review and literature synthesis, the discussion will play a role in developing the interrelationships between theory, mindset and conceptual voices, the interconnected elements that explain key models, and principles framed through perspectives that engage in shaping interpretation through examples of key conceptual voices.
The evolution of a three-dimensional literature synthesis that integrates dimensions of mindset, theory and key voices.
A design approach is applied in the study to enable the emergence of meaning through interaction in systems. From a human-centred perspective, composing, which can be understood as meaning-making, shapes learning and purpose; proposed from a cybernetic framework, circular, causal reasoning and feedback enable a spiral of learning gain through developing inter-relationships. When referring to design, this refers to a visual, iterative, and user-centred cyclical process that has been used to inform and leverage insights in an innovative evolution using a three-dimensional literature synthesis. The visualisation of dimensions and the conversational nature used in the design approach evolves the concept of systems design as a novel type of literature synthesis.
Adaptation of systematic reviews of literature and reference processes from respected evidence-based approaches have contributed to the evolution of a three-dimensional literature synthesis. Here, change culture is understood from a human-centred systems perspective, where thinking through learning and working collaboratively differs from a mindset focused on efficiency targets. The A new approach to learning through innovation is addressed by a systems design approach, which proposes rethinking, and reimagining how individuals and teams might develop through conversation, applying an abductive learning feedback cycle.
KEYWORDS: systems design, cybernetics, circularity, feedback, learning
Editor’s note: The accompanying paper is in preparation as a full journal article. The abstract is included in the advance online publication and a link to the published version will be provided here upon publication.
Profile
Damian Chapman
Kingston University
As Deputy Dean to the faculty of Engineering, Computing and the Environment (ECE) and a member of the Academic Council for Kingston University, I am responsible for overseeing the strategic leadership and development / implementation of the faculty’s growth whilst leading on L&T across three remarkable schools: Computing, Engineering, and Built Environment & Geography. These thrive on active engagement and a sense of trust in co-constructing exciting live projects that engage industry, academic, and student partnerships collaboratively, and central to our learning community.
Over three decades, I have worked as a curriculum designer/consultant for UK and international HE institutions. In these, I have co-designed and developed a broad range of UG and PGT courses that generate thinking through making and reflect the dynamic needs of our changing educational landscapes.
My research focuses systems and agile design principles to trans-disciplinary learning models within industry settings to expedite innovation. Specifically, my research explores systems design at the intersection of cybernetics and organisational theory to develop learning practices that transform silo mentalities into dynamic and collaborative creative communities.
I am a member of the Cyber and Digital research hub at Kingston University, integrating design, computing, and engineering to prototype conversation in a dynamic and creative context for building co-constructed meaning and innovation. I am a member of the American Society for Cybernetics (ASC), and also co-lead TheReadingGroup with Kate Doyle, TJ McLeish, and Patricia Machado Alvarez in a nested studio, as part of the international #NewMacy group founded by Paul Pangaro in 2020.
From: https://www.kingston.ac.uk/about/staff/dr-damian-chapman, July 2025
Mark Sullivan
CoLab Studio Creative Director
Mark Sullivan is a music composer, a photographer, and educator. He holds an appointment at Michigan State University in the College of Music. His music compositions have been performed, and his photographs published and exhibited, around the US, Europe, and Asia. He has focused on research and creative activity in the arts, involving creative use of technology, and innovative approaches to education. During the last couple of decades, he has become increasingly involved with the pedagogy of composition, and the pedagogy of creativity, and now, as CoLab Studio Creative Director, on nurturing collisions between the arts and sciences.
