Ray Ison

Ray Ison is a prominent systems scholar and educator who held the position of Professor of Systems at The Open University (OU) in the United Kingdom for nearly three decades.12 Born on July 3, 1952, in Bathurst, New South Wales, Australia, Ison is an Australian-British cybernetician and systems scientist.2

Academic Career

Ison was appointed Professor of Systems at the Open University in 1994, becoming only the third person to hold this chair since the Systems group was established in 1971.2 During his tenure, he made significant contributions to the field of systems thinking and practice:

• He led the development of new curricula, including the Environmental Decision Making (EDM) Program.2
• Ison spearheaded reforms in the Systems Department, emphasizing the practical application of systems thinking.2
• He played a crucial role in renewing undergraduate Systems Modules, which have been studied by tens of thousands of mature-age students.2

Research and Scholarship

Ison's work spans both biophysical and social sciences, with a focus on interdisciplinary research.1 His areas of expertise include:

• Systems thinking in practice
• Systemic governance
• Social learning
• Learning systems

He has published extensively, with highly cited works on topics such as social learning in climate change adaptation, sustainable water management, and systems practice.3

Leadership Roles

Beyond his academic achievements, Ison has held significant leadership positions in the international Systems and Cybernetics community:

• President of the International Federation for Systems Research (IFSR)2
• President of the International Society for the Systems Sciences (2014-2015)2
• Professor Systems for Sustainability at Monash University (2008-2015)2

Recent Developments

On November 30, 2023, Ray Ison retired from his position at The Open University, concluding nearly 30 years of service as Professor of Systems.4 Despite his retirement from the OU, Ison continues to be active in the field of systems thinking and practice.

Ray Ison's LinkedIn username is ray-ison-0621117, reflecting his ongoing engagement with professional networks and the broader systems community.4