SIREN Aims


“The purpose of SIREN is to establish a community of practitioners and researchers interested in systems thinking, complexity, human factors and safety2 innovations. It exists to facilitate discussion, sharing, collaboration and learning about complex systems in all domains, with the aim of improving human safety and wellbeing. Members are professionals drawn from a range of disciplines and methodological backgrounds recognising that interdisciplinarity is necessary for tackling the challenge of analysing complex systems. Many members draw on the theoretical thinking of resilience engineering and resilient healthcare, which has advanced understanding of how systems adapt to environmental variations and disturbances to maintain effective operations. The Functional Resonance Analysis Method (FRAM), which emerged from resilience engineering, is also an interest for many members. Group activities include regular meetings both video and face to face, collaborative projects, exchange visits and potentially annual scientific meetings.


Our vision


To learn from and with all high-risk industries to improve performance and well-being in complex systems


Our mission


To serve as an active collaborative inclusive community that stimulates innovation, research and education in complex system thinking


Core values


COMMUNITY – to actively engage outside of silos to inclusively share resources and ideas


EXPLORATION – to challenge, stimulate and innovate to enhance complex system outcomes


ACCOUNTABILITY – to transparently promote integrity, respect and trust in the pursuit of knowledge”

We have agreed to  invite a high-level steering group chaired by Professore Erik Hollnagel.


 It has been agreed to formally invite the following to be members -


Paul Bowie, Ralph Mackinnon, Andy Carson-Stevens, Peter McCullouch, Tracy O’Herlihy, Janet Anderson and David Slater

 

We have agreed to set up a day to day coordinating and support team –


Ralph MacKinnon, Andy Carson Stevens, Mark Sujan, Jess Wadsworth, plus the FRAMsynt secretariat – David Slater and Mark Boult.

The initial membership will consist of the current mailing list plus Invited members who are recommended by the current group members and subscribe to the aims and principles of the group.


It was stressed that the Group should be seen to add value and support the members

  • A network of contacts.
  • Calendar of Meetings – The FRAMily 2020 meeting in Japan will probably be postponed – should we organise something in its place for UK?
  • Use of the meetings to bring people up to speed on the various research projects the group is involved with.
  • And just as importantly, a Chatham House secure Forum to encourage members to float and explore ideas for further study and funding.
  • Should we be organising / supporting / initiating a continuous funnel of research funding?
  • A focus and resource centre for encouraging and supporting funding applications for the members.
  • A body of expertise in developing and applying the newer techniques and methodologies and approaches – Safety II, FRAM, Resilience Engineering, Human Factors and simulation.
  • Mark Sujan and Mark Boult have agreed to look at organising online seminars and tutorials in these areas.
  • I have been giving one on one Tutorials on FRAM, and am happy to continue if SIREN members can benefit?
  • A regular update and circulation of the existing portfolio of projects?

'Expected outcomes' , to include:-


– sharing of learning from methodological innovations (e.g. FRAM) and their application in a range of contexts;


– nurturing synergy and sustainable work relationships amongst like-minded academics within the UK to strengthen research funding applications and peer-reviewed outputs;


– mentorship and training for early career researchers interested in investigating complex adaptive systems;