System Change for Sustainability
Bringing the power of systems thinking to civil society, government, business and research.
Generating hope for positive change in our interconnected world.
“As our world continues to change rapidly and become more complex, systems thinking will help us manage, adapt and see the wide range of choices we have before us. It is a way of thinking that gives us the freedom to identify root causes of problems and see new opportunities.”
Donella Meadows
We are a diverse network of fellows and associates dedicated to delivering innovative systems solutions to the world’s most pressing problems through research, training, events and consultancy.
what we offer
Evidence shows that dominant economic, social and political systems are not working – for the majority of people, and certainly not for the planet. The Schumacher Institute seeks to find more sustainable options to enable all species to flourish while protecting and conserving our environment for current and future generations.
Watch our latest event below hosted by our fellow Jean Boulton
Check out our UPCOMING events
Our BOOK SHOP
New economy new systems (NENS) Book ~ Download the chapters below (PDF)
Latest News
Find out about our latest events, courses and projects
organisations & Businesses
Are you looking for ways to bring sustainability more fully into your strategy, delivery and evaluation?
We can help you find ways to uncover the risks and opportunities for organisations and business in our rapidly changing natural and social environments.
Find out about our Design for Change approach.
individuals & Fellows
Are you active in the fields of sustainability, systems thinking, economics, ecology, social science or other relevant disciplines?
Join The Schumacher Institute and become part of an exciting network, sharing ideas and support.
Explore Our Themes and become a member.
Students and Graduates
We collaborate and support students on their projects and thesis as part of their degree undertaking.
Contact us with your proposed project and we will see if we can support you.
Meet our Director Ian Roderick
RESEARCH
Our research explores and proposes solutions for a fairer and more sustainable world, engaging a wide range of stakeholders.
PROJECTS
We put systems thinking into practice through our projects, bringing the ‘systems sauce’ to our partnership work.
LEARNING
Our learning courses and events encourage people to explore systems thinking and its implications for social, environmental and economic sustainability
DESIGN FOR CHANGE
We draw on the expertise of our Fellows to create design customised teams, geared up to meeting the needs of your organisation
systems thinking
A game-changer in the next stage of evolution
The early scientific way of thinking sees the world as a ‘machine’ – it can be taken apart, analysed and understood. But new ecological and evolutionary thinking understands that life and reality is complex, and always in a process of change and adaptation.
Recognising this, systems thinkers seek to understand the world as a series of interrelated systems. This means that solutions can only be found with an awareness of the systems in which we are trying to intervene. As things change, and our understanding develops, we need a learning and adaptive approach.
applied systems thinking
a networked organisation
WE SEEK TO
Contribute to the transformation of society, so that countries and communities can converge to similar levels of development within the limits of the earth’s resources, and with increasing equity for people today and for future generations.
Help people prepare for a future in which disruptive change will happen with increasing speed, and will demand a high degree of adaptability.
Build on the ideas expressed in the works of E. F. Schumacher, particularly working with nature, appropriate technology at the right scale, meaningful work, people-centred development, local actions, peace and non-violent approaches.