Please join us for an inaugural external-facing event of the University of Reading’s Systems and Futures Hub on Thursday 5th February 2026.
The event brings together leading thinkers and practitioners to explore how deeper conceptual thinking about systems and complexity can inform real-world action, examining how complexity science, systems practice, and ecological insights can be applied to one of the world’s most pressing challenges: transforming food systems in adaptive, inclusive, and sustainable ways.
To confirm attendance, please register using the following link: Deep Thinking on Systems and Complexity Event Registration
About the Event:
Deep Thinking on Systems and Complexity: What Are the Practical Insights for Transforming Food Systems?
Thursday, 5 February 2026 | 15:00–17:00 (GMT)
University of Reading – Henley Business School, Room G10
Drinks reception to follow
This professional dialogue will explore how deeper conceptual thinking about systems and complexity can inform real-world action to transform food systems. This session will bring together leading thinkers and practitioners to discuss how complexity science, systems practice, and ecological insights can be applied to one of the world’s most pressing challenges.
Speakers
- Dr. Jean Boulton – a complexity scientist, strategic advisor and visiting academic at the University of Bath and Cranfield School of Management. With a background in theoretical physics, she has spent over three decades helping organizations and policymakers apply complexity thinking to strategy, sustainability and systemic change. She is lead author of Embracing Complexity and The Dao of Complexity, and is widely recognized for translating complex systems theory into practical, real-world insights.
- Dr. Corinna Hawkes – is Director of the Division of Agrifood Systems and Food Safety at the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), where she leads global initiatives to transform food systems for better nutrition, health and sustainability. She previously directed the Centre for Food Policy at City, University of London, and is widely recognized for her work on food systems, healthy diets and evidence-informed policy. Her leadership focuses on bringing systems thinking into practice to drive coherent and equitable food system change.
- Dr. Tom Oliver – Professor of Applied Ecology at the University of Reading, works at the interface of biodiversity, environmental risk and complex systems. He has advised the UK government, the European Commission and other expert bodies on environmental policy and resilience. Tom is also the author of the forthcoming book The Self Delusion, which explores the science of interconnectedness and its implications for society and sustainability.
Programme:
15:00 | Official Welcome – Professor Lisa Methven
15:05 | Introduction – Dr. Jim Woodhill, Director, Agrifood Systems and Futures Hub
15:10 | Presentation – Dr. Jean Boulton: What Does Complexity Science and Systems Thinking Offer to Change Makers in Difficult Times
15:25 | Presentation – Dr. Corinna Hawkes: Putting Systems Approaches into Practice for Transforming the Food System – Challenges and Opportunities
15:40 | Response – Professor Tom Oliver: Implications for Our Work at Reading
15:45 | Panel Discussion and Open Q&A
14:45 | Final Reflections – Professor Carol Wagstaff
17:00 | Close, followed by drinks reception and networking – Blandford Room (Park House)
To confirm attendance, please register using the following link: Deep Thinking on Systems and Complexity Event Registration
We hope you can join us for an engaging and forward-looking conversation.
