The Clarendon Lectures in Management Studies by Tima Bansal

Designing the future: Systems thinking for resilient, prosperous and sustainable organisations and systems

In this series of three Clarendon lectures, Tima Bansal, sets out a transformative approach to management scholarship and practice. Tima will argue that the analytical methods used by most managers and scholars to approach business problems are not fit for purpose. Instead, the challenges facing business require tools that can manage complexity, dynamism and interdependence. She introduces systems thinking to the corporate sphere, drawing on her experience as a world-leading scholar and practitioner. She is the Canada Research Chair in Business Sustainability at Ivey Business School in Canada and founder of Innovation North, working directly with organizations in business, non-profit and government to co-create a better world.

In this first lecture, Tima Bansal sets the stage by contrasting analytical thinking with systems thinking. She explores the fundamental assumptions that underlie systems thinking, defining what a system is by drawing from research in systems dynamics and from the relational ontologies of Indigenous Peoples. And finally, Tima outlines approaches for understanding and engaging with systems to support holistic rather than narrow interpretations.

I n person tickets:

On arrival, please come to the Saïd Business School's main reception to check-in with the event team who will guide you to the lecture theatre.

• 17:30 - Onsite check-in opens

• 18:00 - Talk commences

• 19:00 - Talk concludes

• 19:00 - Networking drinks

• 20:00 - Event concludes

Online tickets:

A viewing link will be sent to you the day before the event.

• Lecture 2: Designing the Future: Multidisciplinary perspectives on designing better futures. Friday 7 March, 18.00 - 19.00 BST. Link to registation page.
• Lecture 3: Designing the Future: Applying systems thinking to corporate practice. Tuesday 6 May, 18.00 - 19.00 BST. Link to registation page.

Professor of Sustainability and Strategy at the Ivey Business School. She holds honorary doctorates from the University of Hamburg, Université de Montréal, and the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. She is also affiliated with the University of Cambridge and Monash University.

• 17:45 - Onsite check-in opens
• 18:00 - Talk commences
• 19:00 - Talk concludes
• 19:00 - Networking drinks
• 20:00 - Event concludes

• Held in conjunction with Oxford University Press, the Clarendon Lectures are designed to inform a general academic audience of important issues in management and the social sciences.

• The seminar is open for anyone to attend (over 18's only)

• In person seats are limited and tickets are non-transferable therefore registration is essential . Please use the Register button above to confirm your attendance

• Please note once the main room is full you will be directed to an overflow room to watch the a livestream of the event, please arrive early to avoid disappointment

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Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Saïd Business School, Park End Street, Oxford, United Kingdom